Member News

Chantry Place Norwich has invested a further £285,000 in its solar farm with an additional 518 panels added onto its roof. The Centre now has a total of 1,290 solar panels, generating 407,000 kWh per year (up from 200,000 kWh), and now providing 41 per cent of its annual energy needs. The solar farm is expected to have a 25-year working life. Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, comments: “Having halved our own energy consumption since 2010, we are continuing to drive energy efficiency across our operations and build a more sustainable future for Chantry Place. We were one of the first Shopping Centres in the UK to invest in a rooftop solar farm in 2016 and this continued investment in adding more panels, funded by our owners, is another step to boosting our green credentials. This project is part of our long-term strategy focusing on sustainability and striving to do better.” Vantage Zero Limited were Principal Contractor for the new solar array and provided a design and build service in partnership with One Energy and GGRS Energy. Recently, Chantry Place has partnered with Zest, one of the UK’s fastest-growing EV charging networks, to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points at the Centre. For further information on Chantry Place’s sustainability initiatives, please visit www.chantryplace.co.uk/sustainability/ For more information on Chantry Place, visit www.ChantryPlace.co.uk or follow @chantryplacenorwich on social media.

A banner promoting partnership working to tackle Modern Slavery stood proudly at an event organised by Business in the Community (BiTC), sponsored by Aviva. Speakers included BiTC CEO and former MP Mary MacLeod, Anglia Water CEO Peter Simpson and Andrew Dernie representing Aviva. The event was focused on the mutual benefits of partnership working and the cost-of-living crisis. Businesses and charities present were able to share experiences and ideas for future collaboration to strengthen Norfolk communities. Many people think that Modern Slavery is something that happens elsewhere, but recent figures from Norfolk Constabulary show that it is not so far from home (see table below). In fact, it is on our doorstep and something we can all tackle to protect our businesses from Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Table 1:

• 269 victims of Modern Slavery were identified in Norfolk between July 2022 to June 2023.
• The most common form of Modern Slavery found in Norfolk was labour exploitation, where 96% of victims identified were male.
• Half of the victims in forced criminality in Norfolk were young people with one of the most common nationalities being British.

Large businesses have a mandatory obligation to show accountability for assessing their operations and supply chain for evidence of Modern Slavery and labour exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Section 54, with new measures to monitor and penalties for non-compliance being introduced by UK Parliament soon^[1]. At present, these only include businesses with a turnover of more than £36 million^[2]. However, developments globally (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive^[3] notwithstanding) indicate that the net for who needs to demonstrate due diligence for human rights is to widen, meaning Norfolk businesses that wish to grow and trade freely will need to prepare themselves. In addition to mandatory requirements, evidence shows the benefits of going beyond technical compliance, demonstrated by industry leaders such as Marks and Spencer and the negative impacts on wealth from where Modern Slavery is discovered within an organisation. The Norfolk Anti-Slavery Network (NASN) business sub-group offers an opportunity to work together to increase operational resilience and supply chain protection to the very real and ever-present risk of Modern Slavery. Businesses can keep their fingers on the pulse of current trends and developments, working with statutory and non-statutory agencies to find proactive solutions. This is an initiative echoed by UN guidance calling for partnership formation among business, civil society, government, NGOs, foundations, academia and others^[4][5]. To support our business community and the Norfolk community at large, the NASN business sub-group plans to recruit more businesses, representing all sectors, offering up to date training and links to practical business solutions, creating a stable and unbeatable platform on which commerce can thrive safely and successfully. So watch this space for opportunities available and attendance at local business networking events near you. The NASN business sub-group chair, Gary Dack, Head of Safeguarding for Norwich City Football Club states: “Modern Slavery can affect any business and it is important that our sector remains vigilant to the risks. NASN provides an excellent forum for private business to work in partnership with statutory agencies and ensure they understand local threats. By joining NASN as a business partner, you will benefit from access to mentoring services and resources which will help reduce organisational threat from slavery. This will ensure your business achieves mandatory compliance. Follow the lead of Norwich City and get involved.” Find out more: Website: www.norfolkantislavery.org Sign up to the NASN newsletter or enquire today: sarah-jane.niles@norfolk.police.uk Sarah-Jane Niles, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Coordinator, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, 07866 889615 Further reading: The Partnering Initiative (TIP). Available from: https://tpiglobal.org [1] UK Parliament Briefings (15^th March 2023). Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery Debate Pack 161431 Fleur Anderson and Robert Jenrick. Available from: http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CDP-2023-0062/CDP-2023-0062.pdf [2] Gov.uk (2015). Modern Slavery Act 2015 Part 6 Section 54. Available from: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/30/section/54/enacted [3] European Parliament. (May 222). Commission Proposal on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: Analysis from a Human Rights Perspective. Available from: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2022/702560/EXPO_IDA(2022)702560_EN.pdf [4] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. (2010). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available from: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda [5] United Nations and The Partnering Initiative. (2022). THE SDG PARTNERSHIP GUIDEBOOK A practical guide to building high impact multi-stakeholder partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals. Available from: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26627SDG_Partnership_Guidebook_0.95_web.pdf. Accessed: 9^th Nov 2023

• Over 100 people received expert mentoring and coaching at the annual “Sync the City” event, which took place from 23 Nov to 25 Nov 2023 at the King’s Centre, Norwich

• A record number of 47 people pitched initial business ideas. Ten were chosen and developed by teams over the 54-hour event

• A software engineer and a teacher took home the £4,000 cash prizes for their ideas

A record number of people – over 100 – developed their skills at “Sync the City 2023” – the ninth annual 54-hour challenge to form a start-up company; since it started the event has transformed lives and led to successful spin-out companies and innovations. On Thursday evening (23 Nov), 47 people delivered one-minute pitches for business ideas – again, a record number for the event. Ten ideas were chosen following an audience vote, and teams were formed to develop these ideas – with mentoring provided by leaders from Norwich’s business community. Each team then delivered final, five-minute pitches on Saturday evening for their business ideas:

• The team led by Matt Brookson (who is a Software Engineer for Artlist) was awarded £3,000 by the expert judges (see notes to editors) for their pitch for a new app for family-focused interactive adventures, called “Trailblazers”.
• The team led by Nicky Turner (who is a teacher at the Workers Educational Association) won the £1,000 “People’s Choice” award – chosen by popular vote – for their pitch to develop “HubL”, a digital platform to assess and aid refugees and immigrants in learning English for work.

This was Matt’s sixth Sync the City, and he told us that the event has led to him meeting “amazing people”. Speaking on Saturday evening (click here to see Matt’s interview), he paid tribute to everyone on his team and said: “My idea was for a quest app for children and their parents/guardians to encourage them to get outdoors, explore cities, and basically get off their screens and do something fun. I think it’s a good cause and am so glad we won. We have actually had some commitment from businesses in Norwich already, so people seem engaged with the idea and I think that we could potentially take it somewhere and do something with it.” English teacher Nicky Turner also thanked her team for their expertise and support in putting together her final pitch to develop ‘HubL’. Speaking on Saturday evening (click here to see the interview), she added: “I’ve spent years in the sector trying to help people from other countries to get jobs and integrate into Norwich, which is a wonderful and welcoming city. The problem we have is that students cannot manage to find the right class because they don’t have anywhere to go to know where the classes are. So, we have created HubL, which we hope will be able to continue thanks to the vote of the people. Students will be able to find the correct course and then become part of society in this country.” Since it was launched in 2023, Sync the City has helped a number of people to forge successful careers and develop innovative new products – including UEA graduate Callum Coombes, who told us how winning the event in 2017 led to the formation of his successful business (click here to see our interview with Callum). In a moving keynote speech on Saturday evening, Peter Abbott, Product Design Lead at Fresha, spoke about the huge benefits of taking part in Sync the City, regardless of who wins the event. Peter told us that taking part in Sync the City led to him getting his first job, meeting his wife and developing his career – while the skills he learned at the event helped him when he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 2019 (click here to see our interview with Peter). John Fagan, chief executive of technology company Scribe, worked in partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA) to start Sync the City in 2014. Commenting on the annual event, he said: “It’s been incredible to see so many people develop new skills, make new connections and gain confidence – all while having a fantastic time. I’d like to thank our amazing sponsors and the mentors and judges who give up their time to make this event possible. Following the great event this year, I’m delighted to announce that we’re going to be holding next year’s event at the King’s Centre in Norwich between 28 and 30 November 2024.” Fiona Lettice, Emeritus Professor, of Norwich Business School, helped to co-found Sync the City nine years ago, and told us: “This is a flagship event for University of East Anglia and for the tech community. What’s really good about it is the way that it brings together our students, the business community, mentors, judges, and we all have really good fun – but also, really great ideas get discussed and developed. People develop their skills and networks, and the icing on the cake is that we get some great start-ups and business being founded at the end of the event.” The primary sponsors for the Sync the City 2023 were: University of East Anglia, Aviva and Leathes Prior Solicitors and Greater Anglia). Supporting sponsors were: Brew Digital and Langham Recruitment. Other sponsors were: Norfolk County Council, Breakwater IT, Naked Tech and Artlist.

Administrators for the Magnus Group, Larking Gowen, have secured a local buyer for its warehousing and forwarding operation, saving 25 jobs. A deal has been agreed after administrators for the Magnus Group secured a local buyer for its warehousing and forwarding operation, saving 25 jobs. Ipswich-based logistics firm Hemisphere Freight Services agreed the sale today following Magnus’s decision to file a Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator. The firm went into administration on November 23. As part of the deal, HFS will also take over about 200,000 sq ft of warehousing space at Magnus Group’s Great Blakenham facility. The team will remain at the Great Blakenham site for six months before moving to the nearby Suffolk Port One Logistics Park. Andrew Kelsall, joint administrator with Lee Green, both of Larking Gowen, said he was pleased that a local buyer had been found, and that Magnus’ warehousing staff were able to continue working with the new owners. While part of the business has been sold on, the haulage side has been wound down, with 52 drivers losing their jobs on November 17. A further 23 staff members were dismissed last week. All staff who have been made redundant have received a letter with details about how to access the redundancy service, and a number to call in case of queries. Mr Kelsall said, “This is a time when voluntary liquidations across the UK are at an all-time high. “Logistics is a highly competitive sector and, unfortunately, Magnus had got into difficulties, including some debt which it has been unable to refinance. They had little option but to seek administration.” “We are currently working to achieve the best possible outcome for all stakeholders involved, and we are maintaining a dialogue with staff, customers and suppliers across the board,” he said. Hemisphere Managing Director Andy Perrin said, “It’s always hard to see a fellow family-run business go into administration, especially after decades of successful trading and becoming so well-respected within the local community. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone affected at what must be an incredibly difficult time. “Our offer to acquire the warehousing and forwarding elements of the business was, above all else, an attempt to safeguard the employment and ensure the wellbeing of as many of Magnus Group’s team members as possible. The priority for us is to minimise disruption on both sides and ensure that Magnus Group’s current client base is well informed and well taken care of throughout this process.” Magnus Group was founded in 1973 and became a well-established freight service in East Anglia and beyond. It is also known for its support of local causes including sponsorship of Ipswich Town Football Club and Suffolk Cricket.

AI is slowly taking the world by storm. This week Mark and Becky discuss their fears around AI use, the reliance that could stem from it and how we must always question AI’s answers. The world of business is changing again and, where once we were encouraged to be proactive in our businesses, now, thanks to the advancement in AI, we might have to start being predictive – but how easy is this for humans, and will the world look like Minority Report! Mark and Becky reflect on their special roundtable chat this summer with AI experts, Alison Alexander and Alix Rübsaam, and discuss their fears around AI and the reliance that we might put on it, going forwards. They discuss the bias that will exist in the algorithms, how we must always be questioning AI’s answers, the potential stunt in creativity, and the possible dangers around predicting human behaviour, especially in business. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We’d also love it if you could rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here Access all episodes of Leadership & Life Chat here Show notes AI SPECIAL – Roundtable with Alix Rubsaam & Alison Alexander Jocko Willink – Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win Minority Report (2002) Listen here

“We consider our shop an important part of the community and being involved, and sharing the experience, was a great pleasure” – EACH staff, volunteers and customers have a night of festive fun in Holt. Charity shop staff and volunteers got in the Christmas spirit by being part of the official lights switch-on in Holt. The town’s East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store stayed open late, welcoming the community for a bumper night of festive fun. Highlights of the town’s celebrations included live music, street food, market traders and a spectacular firework display. Mark Buller, an EACH Relief and Support Manager, said: “We had such a lovely and fun evening with our customers. “Footfall was high and there was a brilliant festive atmosphere throughout the town. “We consider our shop an important part of the community and being involved, and sharing the experience, was a great pleasure. “We hope our fantastic customers enjoyed it as much as we did.” Meanwhile, Mark and shop manager Sarah Hipkin are keen to hear from more volunteers interested in joining the Holt team. “We’re blessed to have some amazing volunteers and it was lovely to see them for the Christmas lights switch-on,” said Mark. “However, we badly need extra help and can always do with more pairs of hands. “The great thing about volunteering is that there are many different roles, to suit people’s skills and interests. “We can also be entirely flexible, to fit around busy lives. Just doing a morning or afternoon a week makes such a difference. “Those that already volunteer say how much they enjoy it. “They love being part of something that raises funds for such a worthwhile cause and find it fun, sociable and rewarding.” Anyone interested in joining the team is welcoming to pop in for a chat. The EACH shop is in Station Road. Alternatively, email Sarah via sarah.hipkin@each.org.uk or call 01263 713864. The Holt Christmas lights switch-on took place on Friday, 17^th November.

Norfolk-based military charity Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) have launched their annual ‘Walking Home For Christmas’ festive campaign supporting those who served. Now entering its 10th year, “Walking Home For Christmas” stands as Walking With The Wounded’s annual festive fundraising initiative. Over the past decade, this campaign has collectively raised nearly £2 million to bolster veterans and their families through programmes encompassing mental health support, employment opportunities, and care coordination services. Tony Hulton, WWTW CEO, commented, “The festive season can be a joyous time of year for many, but for others it can be exceptionally difficult, especially veterans who have struggled since their transition from the military. WWTW’s Walking Home For Christmas campaign gives our supporters the opportunity to reach out to their friends and family, get out in the fresh air and raise vital funds to enable our life-saving veteran support programmes reach more of those who need it.” Walking Home For Christmas encourages the public to get out of their comfort zones and embark on a meaningful walk to show their support for Britain’s veterans. The campaign takes place from Saturday, December 9th, to Wednesday, December 20th. Walkers from previous years have dedicated their walks to loved ones who have been in or have fallen serving our country, have walked to a war memorial, run errands for friends and family or supported their local community. Many Norfolk businesses have participated in the festive campaign, including long-term WWTW supporters Birketts. Jonathan Agar, CEO of Birketts, commented: “I’m extremely proud that Birketts is once again supporting this initiative. Donating to Walking With The Wounded directly supports the most vulnerable ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen in our community, helping to get those who have given everything to their country in to the employment, accommodation and mental health care programmes that will restore their independence.” Funds raised from Walking Home For Christmas will be used to support veterans like Martin, who served in Iraq with the 1^st Battalion Irish Guards. When Martin received a court martial, his mental health and whole family suffered. Martin’s court case lasted for three and a half years and gained high profile media attention. Even though Martin was finally cleared of all charges, the publicity put incredible strain on Martin and his family. Without knowing it, Martin was suffering from depression, anxiety and PTSD, using alcohol and drugs to help manage his emotions. Eventually, no longer able to deal with his PTSD symptoms, Martin was hospitalised, and put on medication. Through his GP, Martin was referred to WWTW and began working with their Head Start mental health programme. While Martin will never be entirely free from the impact of PTSD, he is learning how to cope with his thoughts and emotions. He said: “The mental health support team at WWTW gave me the help that I needed, and they were phenomenal. Carolyn at Head Start was incredible and so supportive. I always knew that if i ever needed her, she was at the end of the phone and ready to speak to me”. WWTW are organising a Norwich walk on Wednesday 6^th December, starting at 16:00 from The Forum and lasting around 4 miles. For those interested in taking part in the Norwich walk, they should contact: tom.grimshaw@wwtw.org.uk To sign up and take part in Walking Home For Christmas, please visit: www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com

Looking for a Christmas gift that is a little bit different? Gift your loved ones the chance to win up to £25,000 every week with Ormiston Families lottery gift vouchers! Starting at just £10, our lottery gift vouchers can be given to your loved one with a personalised message and can be emailed to them or printed and handed to them on the big day. Not only are our vouchers an exciting gift to receive, they are a life-changing gift to give as your purchase goes towards helping Ormiston Families deliver vital support services to children and families in the East of England. If you would like to buy lottery gift vouchers, click here or visit the link below: https://unity.charitypayments.co.uk/evouchers/2vG8Yb62d5uaJjBP/buy For more information about gift vouchers, click here. Please note: All recipients must be over the age of 18 and a resident of the United Kingdom. If you have any questions, please get in touch with them at incomegeneration@ormistonfamilies.org.uk. Thank you for your continued support this Christmas. Emma Baguley-Lockwood Philanthropy Administrator

Mindfulness at Work Course: Exclusive Mindfulness Course with Oxford Mindfulness Foundation teacher, Per Norrgren Are you a professional wrestling with the relentless demands of work and life? Caught in a cycle of stress that saps your energy and dims your creativity? Imagine ending your day feeling just as vibrant as you started. What if you could tackle stress head-on and transform it into a source of strength? For too many professionals, the dream of a balanced, focused, and resilient life feels out of reach. The burden of stress can lead to chronic irritability, anxiety, and a decline in cognitive functions, such as memory and attention span. Join Per Norrgren, teaching partner, supervisor and mentor at the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, for a life-altering 9-week mindfulness journey. Starting from the 9th of January, every Tuesday at 6 pm, and from the 17th of February, every Saturday, you can unlock the secrets to mental and physical well-being. The programme, grounded in published scientific research, promises to bolster your mood, enhance creativity, improve memory and stress resilience. Beyond the psychological benefits, mindfulness is a proven ally against physical pain and exhaustion, paving the way for increased attention span and better coping with stressors of life. Details Duration: 9 weeks, commencing Tuesday 9th January (fortnightly) and Saturday 17th February (weekly, excluding Easter Saturday). Time: Tuesdays at 6.00 pm to 8.15 pm | Saturdays at 9.00 am to 11.15 am and 11.30 to 1.45 pm Venue: Anglia House Business Centre, 24 Bridge Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3AG. Investment: £250 per participant. Requirement: A minimum of 10 attendees to commence the course. For those who prefer the flexibility of digital attendance, online mindfulness courses and individual coaching sessions are also available. Take the First Step: Secure your spot in this transformative experience by contacting Per at per.norrgren@outlook.com. Embrace the mindfulness path and let stress be the catalyst for your greatest well-being.

Julia and Hans Rausing donate £8.7 million to 27 UK hospices under financial pressure The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House benefits from £300,000 grant over the next 3 years November 23, 2023: Philanthropists, Julia and Hans Rausing, have today announced grants of £8.7 million to 27 hospices across the UK to help them meet the significant increase in their day-to-day costs, brought about by inflation and high energy prices. Hospices in particular need of support were identified by the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, working with the charity Hospice UK. The Trust analysed data to identify hospices with less than 12 months of funds in reserve, with support focused on regions with the highest proportion of hospices in need, which included East Midlands, East of England, the North East and Scotland, as well as the Trust’s geographical areas of focus, East Cheshire, Gloucestershire and London. Research published at the beginning of this year by Hospice UK shows that 96% of hospices had budgeted for a deficit in 2022/23, meaning that many were at risk of depleting their reserves and collectively were facing a deficit of £186m in 2023/24. Just over a quarter (27%) had less than six months reserves available. At the same time, the cost of running hospices has increased dramatically, with an expected 500% increase in energy bills on top of an increase in wages. In response to these needs, the Trust determined to give funding over the next three years to provide the identified hospices with a level of financial stability for the future. Julia and Hans Rausing commented: “The rising cost of living has left hospices in a perilous financial position. We know many are receiving fewer or smaller donations than in previous years, so we hope that these grants can be a lifeline, enabling these wonderful hospices to continue providing care and support in their communities across the UK.” Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK commented: “Julia and Hans Rausing have once again shown themselves to be the most remarkable supporters of essential children’s and adult hospice care services across the UK. “Their philanthropy will make a huge difference at a critical time to local communities served by the individual hospices who their Trust will be supporting. This could not be more timely or more welcome. Their philanthropy comes as a time when hospices across the UK are facing immense challenges, as costs soar and the current economic climate creates a tough fundraising environment. Adult hospices rely on charitable donations for on average of two thirds of their income, for children’s hospices, this rises to four fifths. At a time when local communities are finding it increasingly hard to give as generously as they have before, we are immensely grateful to Julia and Hans Rausing for helping hospices, providing funding which will help them continue to support dying people and their families. “At Hospice UK we are also proud and grateful to have been awarded a grant by Julia and Hans Rausing to support hospices with their workforce challenges over the next few years. Hospice care obviously relies both on there being enough funding and on the incredible people who work and volunteer at their local hospice. We are proud to be a grantee of this incredible family foundation.” One of the 27 hospices to benefit from a share of the £8.7 million grant is The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, based near King’s Lynn. The Hospice provides free care, comfort and compassion to people in the local community who are living with a life limiting illness, whilst also providing support for their families and friends. Niki Ellis, Chief Executive of The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House, said “My heartfelt thanks to Julia and Hans Rausing for their generous three year pledge. Their financial gift will go towards the day to day running costs of our incredible services that support people living with a life-limiting condition and those important to them. The last two years have been tough, both for us locally and for hospices across the country, as our costs have escalated at pace across the board. The incredible support we receive from our supporters continues to help bridge the gap between the 30% funding we receive from the NHS and the remaining £2.5 million that we need to fundraise annually. The compassionate care we offer to patients at the end of life and the support offered to families through their bereavement is vitally important.  Julia and Hans Rausing’s gift to the sector has helped raise the profile of our increased need for financial support during these challenging times.” For more information, and to find out how you can support your local hospice, please visit: www.norfolkhospice.org.uk

Proeon Systems Limited, a leading player in providing control and automation solutions for the energy sector, is proud to announce its recent achievement as runners-up in the prestigious Energy Industries Council (EIC) Awards Programme in the category of Business Diversification in the UK. This recognition is a testament to our relentless commitment to innovation, adaptability, and excellence in the dynamic energy industry. The EIC Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark for the energy sector, and being named runners-up in the Business Diversification category is a remarkable honour, it reflects the dedication of our team to not only keep with industry trends but also to lead and shape them, setting an example for others to follow. The EIC is an award-winning global trade association for the energy supply chain with a worldwide membership of over 900 companies covering all energy sectors. Established in 1943, EIC advocates for its members by working closely with governments and key stakeholders. In recognition of their commitment to excellence, the EIC received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in 2023. Why Business Diversification Matters Business diversification is a strategy that helps companies navigate the ever-changing landscape of the energy industry. It involves expanding into new markets, developing new products or services, or exploring innovative ways to leverage our existing strengths. In today’s rapidly evolving energy sector, diversification is a key driver of sustainable growth and resilience. Our Journey Proeon embarked on a journey of diversification with the belief that embracing change is essential for long term success. Commercial Director, Dr Dorian Hindmarsh commented: “Over the years, we have harnessed our expertise and resources to extend our reach beyond providing traditional control solutions seeking out the best fit for our clients”. We are working within the renewable energy, transitional energy and nuclear sectors, making a significant impact on our industry”. Managing Director, Mr Richard Miller commented: “Our dedicated team of experts has played a pivotal role in driving this diversification. They have not only expanded our offerings but have  ensured that we maintain the highest standards of quality and sustainability. Our commitment to excellence in every facet of our diversified business has led us to this momentous recognition.  We look forward to a future full of innovation, diversification and continued success.” This achievement as runners-up in the EIC UK Awards for Business Diversification is not just a milestone but a stepping stone towards a brighter and more diversified future.  We are excited about the potential of our diversified business and the positive impact it will have on our team and our clients. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and passion for excellence throughout the whole Proeon team.  We extend our gratitude not only to our dedicated team, but also to our loyal clients for their continued support. Together, we will continue to lead the way in the dynamic energy sector, setting new standards and driving positive change in the industry.

The Feed is encouraging people to donate so that local residents, who can’t afford enough food, can enjoy some of the festive treats many of us take for granted. The Norwich-based social enterprise runs a supermarket in the city which supports over 5,000 people with free and low-cost groceries. People of all ages from pensioners to families with young children use the store. The common thread is that the cost-of-living crisis has left them struggling to pay all their bills including food. Your donation will help us to provide:

• A full Christmas dinner for some of these local residents
• Presents for children in The Feed’s own Santa’s Grotto

Click the link if you want to make someone’s Christmas: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/feedxmas23