Chamber News

Business leaders head from a series of expert speakers at Norfolk County Council’s ‘Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities’ event which was held at the Aviation Academy in Norwich today. 

Expert speakers included: John Khan from Birketts, who outlined the impact of Brexit on VAT; Dr Avidan Kent, who gave an overview of commercial and trade law; Leszek Wysocki, for DIT, who provided an outline of the export opportunities and Mike Spicer, the Director of Research & Economics from the British Chambers of Commerce, who outlined the key aspects of the Chamber network’s Business Brexit Checklist.

Whilst the Government is still negotiation with the European Union, there is little in the way of detail available for businesses to work with.  However the Chamber’s Business Brexit Checklist can help businesses consider the changes that Brexit may bring and will help with business planning at both operational and Board levels.

Google Digital Garage are coming to Norwich on Friday 22 June to deliver practical digital skills workshops on a range of topics. 

Hear from the experts with free face-to-face coaching workshops aimed at start ups and small business owners. 

To view all the workshops and register your interest click here.

Social Media Strategy Learn about creating a social media strategy based on your business goals.  11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Get Your Business Visible on Google Learn how to start showing up on Google Maps, plus ways to make your business more visible on Google. 12:30 PM – 14:00 PM

An Introduction to Digital Advertising Learn about search, social and display advertising and how to get started with advertising a business.  14:00 PM – 15:00 PM

Social Media Roundtable Roundtable on Social Media for your business. Book a spot on a specialized Q&A with one of our presenters for practical advice tailored to help you reach your goal. 14:00 PM – 15:00 PM.

Answer Questions With Data Learn the value of insight-based marketing and discover how interpreting data in the right way can help your business grow.  15:00 PM – 16:00 PM

Recent revelations by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about the possible cost of customs checks after Brexit (see It will cost you) have done little to settle business nerves about what lies ahead.

Nor will any export directors be feeling any more relaxed after leading accountancy firm RSM calculated that the additional costs arising from post-Brexit customs changes could be even higher than the £20 billion mentioned by the chief executive of HMRC to the Treasury Select Committee.

Brad Ashton, indirect tax partner at RSM, said: “Whilst HMRC has taken a rough median cost of £32.50 for a customs declaration, the actual cost is more likely closer to £40 – costs for similar customs declarations in the EU tend to be higher.”

He also highlighted that the lead time required for both solutions currently under consideration by the Cabinet would probably require an extension to the transition period, as they tend to rely on technology which is not yet in place or on co-operation with the EU that has not yet been agreed.

One of those alternatives – the so-called Max Fac option – has been totally dismissed by the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, with the idea that it could be implemented by 2020 described as “naïve” and “wholly unrealistic”.

EEF Chief Executive Stephen Phipson has written to Business Secretary Greg Clark describing a recent visit during which he was able to see at first-hand how technology operates across the USA/Canada border.

Mr Phipson revealed that, despite a decade of substantial investment on both sides of the border by two willing partners, only 100 of the most trusted Canadian companies are able to use a “fast track” system across the border.

The vast majority of goods are, he warned, still subject to normal customs checks.

His comments were reinforced by Eurotunnel which has warned that UK businesses and consumers will face serious economic costs if the Government adopts either of the post-Brexit customs models being considered by the Cabinet.

Nothing can be done until the Government and the EU decide which system they want to use, Eurotunnel’s Director of Public Affairs John Keefe said, and it could then take several years to build the system, develop the necessary infrastructure, recruit and train new staff and educate transporters from across Europe in its use.

On Thursday 31 May we took over The Earlham Arms on Earlham Road, Norwich, to deliver a knowledge testing evening of informal networking and team building. Over 80 attendees joined us at our annual quiz to make 14 determined teams all competing for bragging rights of being the Norfolk Chamber Pub Quiz winners.  The evening of quizzing was made up by 6 rounds, including two table top rounds. Norfolk Chamber staff took part by writing rounds for the quiz, and coming along for the evening to present their questions. As delegates arrived the drinks started flowing and they began work on their first table top round, naming the companies behind famous slogans. When the quiz got started the pub fell quiet as Nova kicked things off with a geography round. The questions were tough for all except team ‘Bills + Thieves’ who scored 9/10! Jack was up next presenting his film and TV round, featuring popular shows such as Breaking Bad, Pokémon and Parks and Recreation. Once the answers were read and scores so far counted, we took a break to enjoy some tapas served by The Earlham Arms. Throughout the break we swapped the table top round to spots questions, asking teams to name famous sporting legends in the images given. When the quizzing resumed Joe gave teams the answers to the table top slogan sheet. This was then followed by Philippa presenting a tough round on arts and culture, featuring plenty of Norfolk based questions to get the teams searching their brains.  Up next was the moment we’d all been waiting for; Chris was presenting the music round. Teams heard clips from 10 songs with a word blanked out, they had to guess what the blank word was. To make it easier, all the blanked words were body parts. This round included some singing and interesting dance moves from Chris, and saw ‘Team GGS’, ‘Bills + Thieves’ and ‘Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards’ score top marks with 10/10.  Jack closed the quizzing by giving the answers to the sports table top round and we collected the final scores.  Not only did they have the longest team name in quiz history, but ‘Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards’ were also crowned winners with a total score of 54.5 out of a possible 77. They left victorious along with their medals, some chocolates and free tickets to our bowling night. You can see the full scoreboard from the evening below: Position: Team Name: Score: 1st Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards 54.5 2nd Bills + Thieves 52 3rd Team GGS 50 3rd If you know the answer you know the answer 50 4th Mattioli Woods 49.5 5th Liftshare 48.5 6th Always Huge Potential 45.5 7th What Skills Gap! 44 8th Cozens-Hardly Know Anything 43 9th Blame Bailey 42 10th Price Bailey 41.5 11th The gloves are off 39.5 12th Steele the Show 38.5 13th The Hopefuls 35

Fancy joining us at our next evening event along with our quiz winners? Take a look!

Andrew Proctor has been elected leader of Norfolk County Council, at a special meeting today.

Councillor Proctor, who has been county councillor for Blofield and Brundall since 2009, was elected by the full council this afternoon.

Cllr Proctor said: “I’m honoured to be elected as council leader and I want to carry on the good work that’s been started already. I wish Cliff Jordan and his family well for the future.

“The most important thing is we have got to continue to work for the whole of Norfolk and delivering our manifesto pledges on which we were elected.

“I will take a team approach, drawing on the talents and expertise and experience of my group.”

Cllr Proctor is currently leader of Broadland District Council. He said he would stand down from that position shortly, once arrangements had been made.

Councillor Graham Plant is the new deputy leader. He said he would continue to service as leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council. At the same meeting, outgoing deputy leader, Councillor Alison Thomas, paid tribute to Cliff Jordan, who stood down as council leader last month, due to ill-health.

The US announcement took the EU by surprise, as it was believed that exemptions previously agreed with the bloc – and also with Canada and Mexico – would be extended.

China was hit by exactly the same tariffs in March this year, but negotiations between the USA and the EU, Canada and Mexico were widely anticipated to result in the threat against them being dropped.

The Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, described the US move as “patently absurd” and said that the UK was prepared for a “tit-for-tat” response.

Speaking for the EU, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said that President Trump’s decision marked a bad day for world trade.

The Commission confirmed that it would open a dispute settlement case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and would also impose “rebalancing measures” and take any necessary steps to protect the EU market from any trade diversion caused by the US action.

It has also drawn up a target list of 100 US goods worth €2.8 billion, which is reported to include Bourbon whiskey, Levi’s jeans and Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

However, commenting on the news for the CBI, Ben Digby warned that there would be no winners in a trade war, and that the tariffs could lead to a protectionist domino effect, damaging firms, employees and consumers in the USA, UK and many other trading partners.

“Now is not the time for a disproportionate escalation” he said, “and we urge the EU to consider this when initiating its response.”

For the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Dr Adam Marshall observed that, as the UK leaves the EU, the US decision to impose punitive tariffs is a helpful reminder that self-interest looms large in trade negotiations.

Ministers, he suggested, should reflect on this carefully before they pursue any future trade deal between the UK and the USA.

Housing is the key focus of the first episode of this relaunched podcast series, discussing at length the government’s housing pledge, and why generations of governments have failed to build enough homes. Allan Williams and Mike Spicer also review events of the previous fortnight, from train timetables to inflation.

The Chamber Business Awards is our chance to showcase the success of Norfolk businesses to the country. With just 1 month left until entries close on Friday 29 June, we urge you to start your application today.  From the stories of excellence amongst Norfolk organisations in the past year, we know that a Norfolk firm deserves to take home any of the nine award categories being celebrated – you can even enter into all nine!  The categories for 2018 are: 

• Small Business of the Year (Employing less than 75 full time members of staff)
• Export Business of the Year
• Best Use of Technology
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Education and Business Partnership
• Customer Commitment Award
• Workplace Wellbeing Award
• Digital Communication Campaign of the Year

Businesses who enter the awards will compete with fellow entrants from across our region; for us that’s the East of England. Once regional winners have been chosen, they will go on to compete for the national titles.  Sarah West from Full Mix Marketing gave us her top tips for an award winning entry, including ‘If it’s worth entering, do it well. Plan your submission and make sure you get someone outside your organisation to proof read it and listen to their comments. If there is scope for visual design, present your entry in a clear, professional and appealing way.’ To see all of Sarah’s tips, please click here. The awards are free to enter and open to Chamber members only. The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 29 June.  You can find full details on the Chamber Awards by clicking here. If you need any help with your application, or have any questions about the Chamber Awards you can get in touch.

Whichever of the two options being considered by the Cabinet to replace the existing customs union with the EU is chosen, it will not be in place before Brexit happens, and one of them will cost businesses in the UK billions.

This possibility was explained to Members of Parliament’s (MPs) Treasury Committee by Jon Thompson, Chief Executive of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the man charged with examining the practical problems of implementing the two systems.

The Prime Minister is said to favour a “customs partnership” under which the UK would collect tariffs set by the EU customs union on goods coming into the country.

Some members of the Cabinet, including particularly Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, have backed what is known as the maximum facilitation (max fac) option, relying on technology and trusted trader arrangements to minimise customs checks at borders.

However, according to Mr Thompson’s calculations, firms would have to pay £32.50 for each customs declaration under the latter system – adding up to between £17 billion and £20 billion a year (more than the UK paid the EU in 2016).

The customs partnership model could end up being cost neutral but, according to Nicky Morgan, who chairs the Committee: “It will take three to five years to get new customs arrangements in place depending on which of the two options is chosen, but that can’t even start until a political decision has been made.”

Given that HMRC has more than 1000 staff working on Brexit at the moment, at a cost of £360 million, she asked Mr Thompson if it would be a relief if Parliament “just voted for a customs union”.

He said that was for MPs to decide.

Downing Street responded to his evidence to the Committee by saying: “The Prime Minister has asked for work to be done on both customs models. That work is ongoing and therefore any speculation about implementation is just that.”

Today (25 May) marks the biggest change to UK data protection law in a generation. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an evolution of the current Data Protection Act (1998) and comes into effect today.

Regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the new law gives people more control about how their data is used, shared and stored and requires organisations to be more accountable and transparent about how they use it. For the last two years, the ICO has been helping organisations prepare for the new law by producing guidance and targeted online resources, holding and speaking at dozens of events and setting up a dedicated helpline for small businesses. Now it is launching a long term campaign to help people understand why their data matters and how they can take back control.

The collaborative public information campaign ‘Your Data Matters’ aims to increase the public’s trust and confidence in how their data is used and made available.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “Almost everything we do – keeping in touch with friends on social media, shopping online, exercising, driving, and even watching television – leaves a digital trail of personal data. We know that sharing our data safely and efficiently can make our lives easier, but that digital trail is valuable. It’s important that it stays safe and is only used in ways that people would expect and can control.”

The GDPR gives people more and stronger rights when it comes to their personal data. Your Data Matters will help people understand how they can exercise those rights.

For more information visit: https://ico.org.uk/ 

When traffic is disrupted at the Channel ports, Operation Stack comes into play with lorries parked up along the M20 – a solution which has unfortunate consequences for residents driving in the area.

New plans announced recently will allow traffic to travel in both directions between junctions 8 and 9 on the motorway while lorries are being queued for the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. This will mean that drivers can access these junctions, rather than being diverted onto smaller local roads.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “This interim plan will help to minimise disruption and mean people will be able to go about their everyday lives, seeing friends and family or going to work, as well as businesses being able to get to their customers.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) is also intending to improve overnight lorry parking, so that fewer lorries will be left on local roads or parked in lay-bys overnight.

All this is good news, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said, and will help to ensure that the logistics industry can continue to supply Britain’s businesses with the goods and services they need.

Its Head of UK Policy, Christopher Snelling, pointed out that efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.

“With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain,” he argued, “logistics has never been more important to UK plc.”

A public consultation on a permanent solution to Operation Stack, led by Highways England, will be launched shortly.

The Norfolk Business Awards 2018 are now open for entry. This year, a new name indicates a new approach Archant are taking to the awards programme and ceremony, which they hope will keep them as fresh and relevant as ever.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the fact that the awards they hand out recognise the very brightest shining stars in our county’s business firmament. They highlight the people and companies who are achieving and excelling in our county, setting an example to others and representing Norfolk and East Anglia on a national and international stage.

The theme this year is people. Ultimately that is what business comes down to – and it’s what unites all the winners in recent years. From a cutting-edge AI developer to a leading tourist attraction, manufacturer or law firm, outstanding businesses are made by outstanding people. The Norfolk Business Awards are a chance to celebrate those people, recognise their achievements and inspire further success.

There are 11 categories open for entry, with all the finalists considered for the overall Business of the Year title. Also one individual will be recognised with the Outstanding Achievement award.

The 2018 Norfolk Business Awards take place on Thursday 22nd November at the Norfolk Showground Arena, the black tie event this year will be hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan.

Here are the categories open for entry: 

1. SKILLS OF TOMORROW
2. BEST EMPLOYER
3. KNOWLEDGE PIONEER
4. BREAKING BOUNDARIES
5. ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
6. SMALL BUSINESS
7. DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
8. TECH INNOVATOR
9. INVESTING IN FUTURE GROWTH
10. CUSTOMER CARE
11. LARGE BUSINESS

Enter today by completing the simple online entry form here: https://norfolkbusinessawards.edp24.co.uk