Chamber News

• 54% of firms say the business support provided by the UK Government in response to Plan B measures is not sufficient in the short term
• 59% say Government did not adequately assess the impact of Plan B measures on businesses
• 38% of business to consumer (b2c) firms say their business suffered a loss of revenue due to Plan B – more than 1 in 5 (21%) say this was ‘significant’
• 68% of firms reported absences due to illness or self-isolation in the last month, and of those, 50% said they had to reduce output or activity as a result

New figures released today (27.1.22), as Plan B measures came to an end in England, by the British Chambers of Commerce have laid bare the impact of Plan B measures on businesses. Director General Shevaun Haviland is calling on Government to delay the forthcoming National Insurance increase to give firms more time to recover. The survey data, from over 700 firms, showed sizeable proportions felt Government had not done enough to assess the impact the measures would have on business, and that support from the Treasury had not been sufficient even in the short term. The responses to a question asking firms to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the following statements as they related to the Plan B measures were as follows: Statement Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Need more Information The Government adequately assessed the impact on businesses (n=747) 7% 27% 24% 35% 7% The support available for business is sufficient in the short term (n=744) 8% 29% 23% 31% 9% On the statement ‘My business saw a significant loss of revenue following the announcement’ the results were highly variable by sector, with consumer-facing firms such as those in hospitality and retail far more likely to be reporting losses than business-facing firms such as those in professional services. Sector Strongly Agree   Somewhat Agree   Somewhat Disagree   Strongly Disagree   Need More Information B2C Services (Hospitality, leisure, retail) (n=220) 21% 17% 24% 33% 5% B2B Services (n=272) 6% 18% 25% 46% 4% Manufacturing (n=240) 5% 14% 25% 50% 6% When asked if they had experienced absences in the past month only 32% of firms reported no absences. Manufacturers were the most likely to report absences at 81%, followed by B2C services at 67% and B2B services at 57%. Responding to the figures, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, said: “These figures lay bare the serious impact that Omicron and the Plan B restrictions have had on our economy. Whilst the financial support offered by the Treasury was welcome it is clear than many firms still found it was not entirely sufficient. Many also told us that they felt the impact of the measures should have been more thoroughly assessed. “Significant numbers of firms in the business to consumer sector also reported a large loss of revenue following the announcement, whilst output from manufacturers was hit especially hard by absences from illness. “We now need to see plans for dealing with any future variants made public, along with assessments of the impact of any measures required and what support would accompany those measures. We all hope this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic, however the role of Government is to plan for all eventualities. “Businesses will only truly be able to enter a phase of ‘living with Covid’ when they have the confidence that a plan is in place should further complications arise. We are seriously concerned about the impact on business investment in the absence of a comprehensive plan for the future. “Government also needs to recognise that the events of December piled further pressure on businesses who were already drowning in increased costs. These firms need to be given a chance to come up for air if we are to engineer a successful recovery in every sector and every region of the country. “That’s why I am calling on the Government to postpone the rise in National Insurance Contributions due for April to give the economy a chance to properly recover. They should commit to levy no further up-front costs on businesses for the remainder of this parliament to give businesses the confidence they need to invest and grow for the future.”

Norfolk County Council have released their latest economic report for October 2021 to December 2021.  The report highlighted: The employment level in Norfolk has decreased by 1.7% from the same time last year.  But 76.2%, the County’s performance is above the national level (74.4%), and below the regional level (76.9%). After the successful Go Digital pilot, which supported 43 small businesses with increasing digitisation, the programme grew significantly, with 191 additional businesses joining the programme. The Norfolk Market Town Report found that since 2019 the vacancy rate in Norfolk Market Towns increased by 0.7% to 6.6% but, is below Great Britain’s average of 13.8%. Watton has the highest vacancy rate, at 13%, and Loddon has the lowest, at 0%. Norfolk was the most successful English local authority in terms of Community Renewal Fund projects approved (14) and was awarded the 4th largest amount of funding for any Lead Authority (over £6 million). For full details of the latest economic intelligence report click here. Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

Introducing The Co.next Advisory Board Following the successful launch of Co.next, we have selected a board of five passionate business leaders based in Norfolk. This is made up of James Groves, Rebecca Headden, Stokely Howard, Kerry-Anne Lyme, Warren Salmons and Alex Sellers. Each of these individuals will help us bring the Co.next initiative to life, and bring with them a wealth of experience and energy to make things happen. We wanted to ensure that the board was also representative of under 35s in Norfolk, especially given this is the targeted audience. We have therefore gone one step further and created an ‘Advisory Board’, made up of seven budding professionals who will sit on the board for an interim period of 6 months. They will then assist in electing the next Advisory Board, allowing for a continuous loop of recommendations and opportunity. Our confirmed Advisory Board: James Melton-Royal, Ashley Day, Rebecca Campbell, Hannah Wright, Sam Edwards and Hannah Ireland and Rose Steward. We’d love for you to join us to celebrate the launch of Co.next on Wednesday 9th February at The Forum. This event is open to every business in Norfolk, current business leaders, and professionals, as well as future leaders and professionals. Book your place here! Supported by the Norfolk Chambers and Governed by a board of a passionate business leaders, we would love to hear from you if you would like to get involved or know more. Get in touch Meet The Co.next Board here 

A brand-new concept for business professionals 35 and under is launching in February 2022 by The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. Co.next will launch with a clear objective to empower, engage and encourage the next generation of business professionals. Co.next has been created by The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce to provide a structured, inclusive, collaborative, vibrant, and Norfolk-wide approach to support working professionals and future leaders 35 and under with appropriate, engaging, networking events and knowledge hubs. Chaired by James Groves of Indigo Swan, the board supporting this initiative consists of a range of passionate business leaders, who are on a mission to help shape the next generation of business support. James says, “I truly believe we are blessed with great talent in Norfolk, and finding this, unearthing this, polishing this with the support of their employers, is something that I take extremely seriously.” The board consists of Chris Sargisson from The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Rebecca Headden from R13 Recruitment, Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency, Warren Salmons from Morgan Sindall, Kerry-Anne Lyme from Larking Gown, and Alex Sellers from Turning Factor. Chris Sargisson, CEO of The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce says, “I am picking up growing concerns that the essential early-stage creation of a life-long network is becoming a lost art. Heavy reliance on digital interaction instead of physical engagement compounded most recently by the pandemic accelerate the challenge which, if action is not taken soon may only be felt at a point when the time to resolve it has passed.” As part of this offering, The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have been working in collaboration with Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency to deliver the highly successful GEN-E events. These are dynamic networking events for under 35s in Norfolk, each of which has seen an incredible response and sold out within 24 hours. We wanted to ensure that the board was also representative of under 35s in Norfolk, especially given this is the targeted audience. We have therefore gone one step further and created an ‘Advisory Board’, made up of seven budding professionals who will sit on the board for an interim period of 6 months. They will then assist in electing the next Advisory Board, allowing for a continuous loop of recommendations and opportunity. Our confirmed Advisory Board: James Melton-Royal, Ashley Day, Rebecca Campbell, Hannah Wright, Sam Edwards and Hannah Ireland and Rose Steward. Meet them here The official launch of Co.next will be taking place on Wednesday 9th February at The Forum. We’d love for you to join us to celebrate the launch of Co.next on Wednesday 9th February at The Forum. This event is open to every business in Norfolk, current business leaders, and professionals, as well as future leaders and professionals. Book your place here! Supported by the Norfolk Chambers and Governed by a board of a passionate business leaders, we would love to hear from you if you would like to get involved or know more. Get in touch

The Big Debate returns as a face-to-face event at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, giving you the opportunity to engage with Norfolk MPs and business leaders. The event brings together Norfolk MPs, and local business leaders to discuss and debate key issues affecting businesses in the region, this high-profile annual policy event is a key date in the commercial calendar for the start of 2022. Meet the Panellists who on Friday February 4th will be covering our the topics for 2022:

• People, Skills, and Wellbeing
• Transport and Infrastructure
• Growth and Innovation
• Climate Change

Make sure you are part of the debate on Friday 4th February 2022 – Book your ticket here.

The British Chambers of Commerce is today setting out its manifesto to recruit legions of new UK exporters as its research continues to show poor overseas trade growth:

• In Q4 of 2021, just over a quarter of exporting firms (29%) saw their overseas sales increase
• Almost half (47%) saw no change, and a quarter (24%) reported a decrease
• This is despite substantially more firms reporting improved domestic conditions, with 45% confirming increased UK sales in Q4 

BCC research also shows that exporters are uniquely facing a wide range of issues, from unprecedented inflationary pressures and global supply chain crises to a raft of new requirements flowing from the EU trade deal. The Manifesto sets out a comprehensive list of steps to get more UK businesses, currently just 10%, involved in international trade. This compares to more than 60% of companies which are members of an Accredited Chamber of Commerce. To do this the BCC is working with the whole of its Global Business Network, both within the UK and in 76 markets across the world, to help encourage the shift. It is making the move after 23% of firms surveyed said finding a business partner or distributor overseas would encourage them to either start exporting or export more. A further 16% of firms also said support with trade documentation would encourage them to start exporting or increase the amount of business they do overseas. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “The UK is bursting with amazing businesses offering goods and services that are high quality, sustainable and well designed. There are hundreds of overseas markets which are crying out for what we can offer. “Yet only 10% of UK businesses are currently involved in exporting when all our research shows that firms trading overseas are more productive, innovative and resilient. “So, it’s vital we now recruit a new generation of exporters to help take our overseas trade to the next level. We are standing at a moment where we can seize the opportunity to be in the vanguard of a world-wide revolution in new technology, digital services and Net Zero innovations. “Accredited Chambers of Commerce have all the tools necessary to equip these new recruits and allow them to trade with confidence. Our ChamberCustoms service can also provide training, advice and brokerage to help goods clear UK borders with as little fuss as possible. “Our research shows that overseas trade fell off a cliff in early 2020; just 8% of UK exporters saw any increase in the second quarter of that year. Almost two years later and the figures are still way below where they need to be, with only around a quarter reporting improvement. “We are using our entire Global Business Network and will do everything we can to help firms explore the amazing possibilities that are out there. But more also needs to be done by government to support UK companies that have had to battle with rocketing costs, disrupted supplies and reams of new paperwork in Europe.  “If we all work together to take action then we can revitalise our exports growth and help power the UK’s economic recovery.” “The manifesto sets out a number of steps that the UK government could take to help firms trade with the EU and to make sure that any new trade agreements put the interests of business at their heart. In Europe these include:

• Streamlining customs and trade processes to reduce paperwork and delays
• Developing more business-friendly rules on cross-border VAT
• Bringing back, and boosting, the Brexit SME Support Fund to help firms adapt

More widely they include:

• Creating a Business and Trade Growth Office at the Dept for International Trade to help smaller businesses get involved in exporting
• Providing better access for UK professional services and mutual recognition of qualifications
• Setting rules on trade that support the future exports of environmental goods and services
• Securing real benefits for importers and manufacturers in the UK on tariff reductions and rules of origin

Providing manufacturers with better options on sourcing materials and components Ms Haviland added: “We want to work with the UK Government and other trading bodies to build a proper coalition of support for a strong UK trade and investment strategy. “If we want more firms to get involved in exporting then we need to see more end-to-end support to help them make the leap. “But businesses also have the knowledge and practical know how to help the UK Government negotiate trade treaties that can open up new growth opportunities. “We have always been champions of international trade and there is no doubt in our minds that businesses that embrace exporting to overseas markets will be better off for it, as will our economy. All it takes is a willingness to try.” Commenting on the manifesto launch, Nova Fairbank, Chief Operating Officer of Norfolk Chambers said: “Norfolk Chambers are already working with nearly 300 international trade clients and stand ready to support the Norfolk business community to meet their international trade needs.  Since 01 January 2022, there have been some significant rule changes from importing goods into the UK – our fully trained expert team are here to answer any questions you may have and help ensure that you and your business are fully compliant when moving goods across international borders.” Team: Julie Austin, Sam Martin and Ethan Saunders-Johnson Email: export@norfolkchambers.co.uk or chambercustoms@noroflkchambers.co.uk Tel: 01603 729716 Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022  

The Big Debate returns as a face-to-face event at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, giving you the opportunity to engage with Norfolk MPs and business leaders. The event brings together Norfolk MPs, and local business leaders to discuss and debate key issues affecting businesses in the region, this high-profile annual policy event is a key date in the commercial calendar for the start of 2022. The topics for 2022 will be:

• People, Skills, and Wellbeing
• Transport and Infrastructure
• Growth and Innovation
• Climate Change

We are very pleased to announce our Transport and Infrastructure panellists are; Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia, Jeremy Wiggin, Norfolk County Council, James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk, Steve Royal, Network Manager, Konectbus ltd and Peter Brown, Managing Director of Jack Richards and Son. Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia A role that encompasses PR, public affairs, stakeholder relations, community engagement, integrated transport, accessibility and regional rail strategy. He has held a number of senior positions in train operating companies in East Anglia over the last 30 years. One of the architects of the East Anglian Rail Prospectus, he is a key player on the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce, the West Anglia Main Line Taskforce and the Ely Taskforce. A committed ambassador for rail travel and its wider contribution to society, he is also a member of the National Community Rail Steering Group. Another common thread through his career is pivotal roles in customer-focused service improvements, from new and more frequent services to wi-fi facilities on trains and the introduction of new trains – including the high quality new intercity and regional trains Greater Anglia has already introduced on its Norfolk routes, as part of its network-wide fleet replacement programme. Jonathan lives in Norwich and, outside the railways, his interests include fell walking, travel, the theatre and music. Jeremy Wiggin, BSc (Hons) MSc MCIHT Jeremy is a team leader in the Major Projects transport team at Norfolk County Council focused on delivering a wide range of transport schemes, with a primary focus on Norwich.  Jeremy has worked as the project lead for infrastructure projects based around walking, cycling and public transport, as well as for innovation projects using technology to improve the delivery of transport, including smart ticketing, electronic passenger information systems and personalised journey planning.  Jeremy is the lead for the Transforming Cities Fund programme in Norwich and is currently engaged in bringing zero emission buses to Norwich and supporting the roll out of shared transport and micromobility modes.James was elected in December 2019 as the MP for North West Norfolk. James Wild, MP West Norfolk James Wild was elected in December 2019 as the MP for North West Norfolk. Before being elected to Parliament, James had a number of roles in the public and private sectors.  He was a Special Adviser in the departments for business, energy, the Ministry of Defence and to the Prime Minister in the Number 10 Brexit Unit. Prior to his roles in government, James worked in the private sector including for a consultancy advising major international business and for a leading mobile communications company. Since being elected to Parliament, James has been a strong voice locally and in Westminster for North West Norfolk. James is a member of the Public Accounts Committee which holds the government to account for how taxpayers’ money is spent. In September 2021, he was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, Conservative Party Chairman and Minister without Portfolio. Steve Royal, Network Manager at Konectbus ltd Steve has worked in the local bus industry since 1988, first for Eastern Counties buses as a customer service assistant, then in their schedules and network planning section for 10 years, before becoming Operations Manager at the Norwich depot. Steve joined Konectbus in 2006 as Operations Manager in 2006 before moving onto Network Manager in 2019 , responsible for schedules and network planning. Steve continues to work extensively with the local authority and stakeholders to ensure that our local bus services meet their needs. Peter Brown, Managing Director of Jack Richards and Son Peter Brown is Managing Director of Jack Richards and Son, the Norfolk based haulier, which is well known for its distinctive yellow and red livery. In that time the business has developed from a regional haulier with 3 sites, employing 130 people and sales of £13m to a national logistics company operating from 14 sites across the UK, employing over 700 people with sales in excess of £70 million. The business which was owned until 2019 by the Richards family is now a subsidiary of the Turners Group based in Soham. Prior to working for Jack Richards Peter was managing director of Larchlap, a manufacture of fence panels and garden sheds and of Securicor Omega Logistics based in Ipswich. Originally from Southwold in Suffolk Peter went to high school in Beccles and did a degree in Accountancy at the City of London Polytechnic. He is married with two adult children and lives in Fakenham.

The Big Debate returns as a face-to-face event at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, giving you the opportunity to engage with Norfolk MPs and business leaders. The event brings together Norfolk MPs, and local business leaders to discuss and debate key issues affecting businesses in the region, this high-profile annual policy event is a key date in the commercial calendar for the start of 2022. The topics for 2022 will be:

• People, Skills, and Wellbeing
• Transport and Infrastructure
• Growth and Innovation
• Climate Change

We are very pleased to announce our Climate Change panellists are; Ellen Goodwin, Infrastructure Manager and Clean Growth lead at New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Paul McCarthy, General Manager at Chantry Place, Stuart Wright, Aviva and Clive Lewis, labour MP Ellen Goodwin, Infrastructure Manager and Clean Growth lead at New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Ellen is responsible for leading the New Anglia LEP’s embedment of clean growth.  She supports the newly appointed Clean Growth Taskforce focussed on leadership and collaboration, evidence and impact, decarbonising transport, transition business support and workforce for the future.  She is also responsible for developing and implementing the LEP’s infrastructure strategies and plans, overseeing and supporting the work of the LEP’s Infrastructure Boards. Paul McCarthy, General Manager at Chantry Place. Leading the team at Chantry Place, East Anglia’s premier shopping centre and home to the very best of international, national and local brands from Apple to Zara.  Also Chair of the Norwich BID, Chair of the Business Climate Leaders Group and Vice President of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. Stuart Wright Operations Net Zero Delivery Director at Aviva  Stuart Wright started work as an Army officer in the Royal Engineers training first as a Military Engineer and then more formally as a Civil Engineer.  A career change (after 20 years) took him briefly to PA Consulting and then to Aviva.  Time at Aviva has been spent almost exclusively in the planning, design and operational delivery of shared services.  Roles have included UK property director and Aviva Europe operational services director and more recently Group Property and Facilities Director, where he had a wide remit including all operational property acquisitions and disposals as well as running the worldwide real estate portfolio.Stuart has now been appointed to lead Aviva’s ambition to be carbon net zero across its operations and operations supply chain, including all markets, subsidiaries and joint ventures, by 2030, building on his strong track record of delivering carbon reduction projects. Stuart was Chair of the UK Living Wage Foundation Advisory Council from 2026 to 2021, a body that provides advice and guidance on the development of the Living Wage in the UK; he is now a Trustee of Citizens UK, the founder charity of the Living wage.Outside of work Stuart enjoys his family, gardening and his vintage tractor. Clive Lewis, Labour MP Norwich South Clive has lived and worked in Norwich since 2001, and has been MP for Norwich South since 2015. Clive has been Shadow Defence Secretary and a shadow business minister since 2015 . Most recently he was shadow minister for sustainable economics in the Labour Treasury Team. He is Married with a three year old daughter, and is one of the founders of the Global Alliance for a Green New Deal – a plan to address the climate and nature crises while making life better for us all, backed by over 300 lawmakers from 42 nations. Clive has lived a life outside of politics. He was a BBC TV News reporter for more than a decade. He served a tour of duty with the British Army in Afghanistan in 2009. Clive’s first full time job was in a food factory. He was the first in my family to get to University. Clive grew up on a council estate and was raised in a single parent family by his dad. At work, he stood up for his fellow employees by being a rep for my trade union.

The Big Debate returns as a face-to-face event at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, giving you the opportunity to engage with Norfolk MPs and business leaders. The event brings together Norfolk MPs, and local business leaders to discuss and debate key issues affecting businesses in the region, this high-profile annual policy event is a key date in the commercial calendar for the start of 2022. The topics for 2022 will be:

• People, Skills, and Wellbeing
• Transport and Infrastructure
• Growth and Innovation
• Climate Change

We are very pleased to announce our Growth and Innovation panellists are; George Freeman, Mid Norfolk MP, Alex Sellers, Director of Learning of Turning Factor and Ashley Shorey-Mills, Head of Sizewell C of Suffolk Chambers of Commerce. George Freeman, Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman was elected to Parliament in 2010 after a 15-year career in the Cambridge cluster founding high-growth technology companies. After serving as Government Life Science Adviser and launching the landmark Life Sciences Industrial Strategy in 2011, he was appointed as the UK’s first ever Minister for Life Sciences in 2014, leading an £18bn portfolio across the Departments of Health and Business and launching the Accelerated Access Review and championing the role of genomics, patient data and UK healthcare innovation. In 2016, George was promoted to become Chair of the Prime Minister’s Policy Board at Number 10. He also served as Minister of State for Decarbonisation, Disconnection & Digitalisation at the Department for Transport and helped lead the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR). He has founded and launched the Reform for Resilience Health Commission with fellow commissioners including Malcolm Turnbull (former Prime Minister of Australia), Lord Hague (former UK Foreign Secretary), José Manuel Barroso (former President of the European Commission), Professor Michelle Williams (Dean of Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health) and Roula Khalaf (Editor of the Financial Times) before being appointed as Minister for Science, Research and Innovation at BEIS in 2021. After graduating from Cambridge University, Freeman worked in the burgeoning Cambridge tech cluster founding and financing high-growth biomedical start-ups. He was Director of Early Stage Ventures at Merlin Biosciences, CEO of Amedis Pharma and founder and Managing Director of 4D Biomedical where he worked around the UK putting together translational medical research collaborations with UK Universities, Hospitals and Life Science Companies. Alex Sellers, Director of Learning of Turning Factor Alex has over 20 years’ operational management experience in the hospitality sector and a further 10 years in learning and development leadership roles. Throughout his frontline management career, his passion, enthusiasm, and people centric approach often meant that he was tasked with improving failing businesses. Key to his success were engaging his teams and customers alike in his vision and values and encouraging collaborative and open-minded approaches – effective working practices he believes in passionately and employs to this day. His unique experience, genuine interest in people and authenticity has helped Alex become an expert in leading people, building relationships and learning and development practices. Alex now works as a Director for Turning Factor and also operates as a leadership and business coach. Working across sectors (public, private and voluntary) and organisations, Alex has designed and run modern, innovative and industry leading learning and development programmes that have delivered sustainable impact for both the organisations and the people involved. Alex is driven by a passion for helping people develop to their full potential and is a firm believer that people and teams can be empowered through self-awareness, leadership, communication, and taking the right action at the right time. He has an exemplary track record of encouraging behavioural change and new perspectives in the people he works with. Ashley Shorey-Mills, Head of Sizewell C of Suffolk Chambers of Commerce Ashley Shorey-Mills heads up the Sizewell C Supply Chain as part of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. He and his team are there to guide and support the huge range of regional businesses, to ensure that Sizewell C is build using local people and local companies, and that we leave a legacy for the regions supply chain and business community. Originally from Essex, Ashley began work straight from school and spent over 20 years with Hughes, the East Anglian Electrical retailer, working his way from sales through to senior management. During this time, his passion for working with people really took shape and he has spent huge proportions of his career helping others to develop and grow, whilst also focussing heavily on high levels of service and care. Outside of standard work, Ashley has a young family with 2 children and lives with his wife, daughter and son in Suffolk and has now officially spent more of his life in Suffolk than Essex and is passionate about where he lives. He also has dedicated some of his time to volunteering at schools, as his passion for learning and supporting the next generation drives what he does, especially with his own children in mind. Once a keen sportsman (but age catches up with us all at times), he is a big football fan (and can sit back and enjoy the old farm derby as neither allegiance affects him), but will happily enjoy watching absolutely any sport possible. In June of last year, Ashley took on the role at the Suffolk Chamber. He believes that this is a once in a generation opportunity for our region and is passionate about local business and making the most of every single opportunity. He believes by working with the other regional chambers, as well as close partnerships with EDF and Sizewell C, we can truly bring a legacy to East Anglia, that will put us on the map for being a beautiful, but also investable and business ready part of our country.  He wants to work with every single type of business possible, to showcase exactly what makes us special. Hayley Johnson, Director of Operations for FXhome Hayley is a dynamic and award-winning operations leader who has spent her career driving forward some of our region’s most successful brands. She’s been in the leadership team of Aviva, held the COO role for Norwich’s enormously successful Epos Now, and served us Property and Portfolio director for Hoseasons, playing a major role in supporting the tourism sector and park home owners in the midst of the pandemic. Today, she’s Director of Operations for FXhome (now part of globally renowned Artlist) and is passionate about championing the role of diversity in tech. She’s fiercely proud to be living and working within Norfolk and is consistently vocal about creating opportunities to attract, recruit and retain professional talent in the region. Hayley is a keen participant in business groups and networks such as TechEast, Sync the City and the East Anglia Digital Skills Taskforce.

We hope as valued Chamber members that you are aware of our compelling Mission: ‘To Connect, Support and Give Voice to Every Business in Norfolk.’ This mission is backed further by a strong vision: ‘What You Need is What We Do’. To achieve both requires guidance and support from a very special group of our members.  People who both share our passion and are also, as willing representatives of the business community, ensuring all Chamber activities and actions support the Mission and shape the Vision – This group being our wonderful Board members. ‘Ready Steady Grow’ Norfolk Chambers has been on a journey of transformation, that will culminate in a modern, culturally and digitally relevant organisation, fit for another 125 years.  Our five year plan, starting in 2022, will capitalise on the huge modernisation efforts and changes of the last 5 years and enable revenue growth from innovation, made possible by the work to date. Over the five year period, we seek to achieve further relevancy via greater engagement; digital enhancements; a strong member focus; and the ability to provide our members with the tools to digitally display their wares and articulate their needs. Our Board members help influence and shape the strategic direction of the Norfolk Chambers.  They are representative of the Norfolk business community, in terms of sector and geography, as well as from a diversity and equality perspective. To help with these future plans, we are seeking to recruit between four to six new Board Members and are particularly interested in candidates with the following attributes:

• Sectors: Manufacturing, Engineering, Digital & ICT and Financial/Legal
• Business people at the start of their careers
• Business people that represent that widest community
• Micro businesses and Sole Traders

However, any applicants from outside these areas will of course be considered. In addition to being a champion for your own sector, as a full member of the Board you will be responsible for supporting the operational and strategic direction of the company. Candidate Criteria – Knowledge, Skills, Experience Essential

• A Board Member must be a member of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce

Desirable

• Holds a senior position Director, owner, or equivalent influence
• Can demonstrate experience working within a Board structure or with their personal sector groups
• Knowledge of non-profit organisations
• Knowledge of strategy, planning, budgets
• Knowledge and experience of the needs of SMEs
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate organisational growth
• A keen and comfortable networker
• Participation at all quarterly Board meetings, including the Annual General Meeting and other meetings as required
• Enthusiasm, drive and a passion for Norfolk and its business community.

The deadline for applications to be received is Friday 25 February 2022 and initial selection interviews will be held on Monday 07 or Wednesday 09 March 2022, followed by final interviews on 18 March. Successful candidates will be notified of interview by no later than 02 March.  For more information on the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, please visit our website: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Board, we would ask you to complete the online application form. Please send the completed form to: Nova.fairbank@norfolkchambers.co.uk

P2A aims to increase the number of young people in jobs by creating an exclusive package of financial and practical support for both the employer and the apprentice to transition from Kickstart onto an Apprenticeship: Financial assistance

• £1500 incentive; £500 paid on signup, £1000 paid after 12 weeks
• 6 6-month wage contribution; paid upfront in two installments, based on 37.5 hours a week at Apprenticeship NMW (one at sign up and one after 12 weeks)

Practical support

• 5 hours of individualised Apprenticeships Norfolk wrap-around support
• Funded training for the employer  (e.g. Mentoring, Managing Remotely, Digital Skills etc)
• Funded training for the apprentice (e.g. Digital Skills, Resilience/Mental Health, Planning & Organisation, Assertiveness etc)

How do I find out more/apply? If you are an SME, and you would like to know more about P2A, click here to read about the project and access the Terms & Conditions for eligibility. If you feel your business could be a fit for P2A, please complete the initial Assessment on this link , and wait to hear from the team!

• More than half of firms believe their exposure to attack has increased due to working from home arrangements
•  One in 10 firms have been the victim of a cyber-attack in the last year
•  This rises to more than one in seven for larger firms with more than 50 employees
• Only one in five firms have cyber-security accreditations in place

A new survey of almost 1,000 UK firms, of all sectors and sizes, has revealed that more than half believe their IT systems have been left more exposed to attack following the huge increase in people working from home during the pandemic.

The research by the British Chambers of Commerce and IT company, Cisco, also found that one in 10 firms said they had been the victim of a cyber-attack in the last year, rising to more than one in seven for larger firms.

Yet despite this, four out of five firms said they did not currently have accredited cyber-security measures in place to protect against attacks.

Reacting to the findings, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:

“The huge shift to home working, and the use of cloud computing, for tens of thousands of employees happened almost overnight, so it is not surprising that many firms were caught out by the implications this had for their cyber-security arrangements.

“All of the BCC’s research indicates that a shift to a more hybrid way of working, with many staff now splitting their time between the office and home, is here to stay, so it is more vital than ever that firms have the right cyber-security protections in place.

“With one in 10 firms confirming they have come under attack in the last year, the need to take action now could not be more important.”

Aine Rogers, Head of Small Business, Cisco UK & Ireland, said:

“The lines between professional and personal are more blurred than ever. Organisations are no longer just protecting an ‘office’ but a workforce at the kitchen table.

“As businesses and individuals, we’re more exposed than ever to security threats. Whether it’s fraudulent SMS campaigns, posing to be a delivery company, targeted social engineering to access the passwords for your customer database, or hacking your home network, criminals in the cyber world are cunning.

“That’s why we need to evolve thinking to focus on securing your employees and what they are doing, not where they are.”

Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022