Chamber News

Norwich City Council have released their latest economic barometer. The report highlighted:

Locally

• Norwich is officially the UK’s first sharing city – encouraging people and businesses to help each other for the common good
• A new Offshore Wind Sector Deal has been announced for east Anglia, which would see investments of £250 million in this region
• Business hiring intentions in the East of England rose in February
• The number of active businesses across the East of England increased by over 9,000 in the year to January 2019

Nationally

• UK inflation fell to a two year low, dragged lower by falling energy bills and fuel
• Purchasing activity rose as manufacturers continued to implement plans to mitigate potential Brexit-related disruptions
• UK construction recorded dropping activity levels – ending a ten-month period of sustained expansion

For full details of the latest economic barometer click here.

Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce for the month of April.

Visit their business to explore what they have to offer. Click on a business name below to view the full listing in our Member Directory.

US2U Consulting A forward-thinking Management Consultancy offering key solutions which make for better business practice and management in any organisation. Our successful growth has been built on the ability of our Consultants to achieve results, and the reputation this has created with our clients.

Maddermarket Theatre The Maddermarket Theatre opened its doors to the public for the first time in September 1921. Originally a Roman Catholic Chapel, the building was discovered, derelict and abandoned, by Nugent Monck whilst searching for a permanent home for The Guild of Norwich Players, a troupe he had founded in 1911. Almost one hundred years after our foundation the Maddermarket Theatre, the Norwich Players continue to produce a full programme of high quality and engaging theatre for audiences throughout the region.

Aviform With more than 40 years nutritional product expertise backing every single Aviform formulation. Based in Wymondham, South Norfolk, Aviform products are distributed to over 40 countries worldwide either direct from our website or through our export agents. Our ranges include a large selection of Animal & Avian supplements, and equine supplement range too which includes, premium equine joint care products such as, Suppleaze Gold.

East Lodge Consulting Ltd East Lodge Consulting provides business advice to organisations across multiple sectors.  Core services include Sales, Recruitment, Training and Staff development and access to funding.  East Lodge Consulting is part of a nationwide network that provides specialist advice across every business function, from Finance and Strategy to Compliance and IT.  Whatever your requirement, East Lodge Consulting can provide the solution.

Ellgia We specialise in waste management, processing and recycling for commercial, trade and homeowners. If you are looking to dispose of General Waste, Dry Mixed Recycling, Inks, Food, Glass and Plastics, Security Shredding, Hazardous Waste, WEEE Waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling) or you just want a skip for site or for a clear out at home – then give us a call, use our online quote system, book your skip online or via email.

Curveball Media This is the story of how we came to be. It’s beautiful when two people meet who have the same vision. Daniel came from a background in TV and Olly worked his way up the corporate ladder, but what they both had in common was a joint loathing towards the plethora of videos popping up all other the web that simply didn’t ‘work’.

MJR Events MJR Events is owned and run by Mark Raines. Mark has over twenty years’ experience in organising events in and around Norfolk. Together with his wife Meryl, they deliver high profile, quality, established wedding fairs and events across East Anglia and pride themselves in maintaining a professional yet personal relationship with all of their clients.

Lucas & Wyllys Lucas & Wyllys is a busy legal practice established for over 150 years. Our offices are based in Norfolk and we mainly serve clients throughout East Anglia, however in most areas of law we can assist clients U.K. wide. We have a first-class reputation and we are very proud that more than 70% of the firm’s work comes from repeat business or by direct client recommendation.

TNE Group Working to understand your business needs. Almost all initial consultancy and requirement gathering exercises are free of charge at TNE Group. This is because we understand that in order to achieve the most effective results, your business has to free up staff and time from the early stages. Which ensures time is utilised to gather accurate resources for your project. So, whether you are looking to improve customer response through efficient delivery of information or provide a predictive stock fulfilment solution, experienced specialists at TNE Group can identify the right solution for your organisation.

Norfolk Clubhouse Clubhouse is part of a worldwide network of enterprises that exist to provide support and opportunities to people living with mental health conditions. Its purpose is to promote positive mental health for people aged 16 or over who live with severe, and often enduring, mental health problems. It aims to enable people to regain the confidence and skills necessary to lead productive and satisfying lives. In addition, the Clubhouse offers its members and visitors a wide range of volunteering opportunities, access to education & employment, crisis support, information and signposting to other local organisations.

Bespoke The talented team behind the delivery of every project are a group of skilled, motivated and dedicated professionals who are inspired by the shared vision of doing what we love and loving what we do every day. This vision, borne out of our passion for all things technology, drives us to be better each day. With a combined 18 years of valuable industry experience between us, we’re incredibly proud of the people who have helped make our business what it is today.

The East of England’s ‘All Energy Coast’ is unique in the UK – we are the only region to have oil and gas, nuclear, and renewable energy sectors all on our doorstep.  This offers a fantastic opportunity to businesses in Norfolk to see how they can get involved in the supply chains for all those energy sectors. 

A great place to find out more and to meet organisations already involved in our energy sector is SNS2019: The Southern North Sea Conference & Exhibition.  This is an annual event, delivered by Chambers member EEEGR, that will be taking place on 15 and 16 May at the Royal Norfolk Show Ground.  The exhibition area is free to attend.

For more information on how to book your tickets for the SNS2019 conference click here.

Norfolk Chambers recently announced their success One Hour Networking in King’s Lynn was moving from one hour on a Wednesday to Two Hours on a Tuesday.  We also announced that we would be available for businesses to drop in and talk to us and the ‘experts who would be joining us.

We are really pleased to announce that our key note speaker for our first Two Hour Tuesday free networking will be Glenn Savill, Relationship Manager at Aston Shaw. 

Glenn is the Making Tax Digital adviser for Aston Shaw and has recently held over half a dozen seminars on the topic throughout East Anglia, including King’s Lynn, so be sure to ask him any burning questions you may have to ensure your business is ready for the upcoming changes imposed by HMRC.

He has also agreed to be available for our drop-in session that follows, so if you want to know more about the Chambers and how we can help support your business, or if you have a financial question that you would like to put to Glenn, we would be delighted to see you.

West Norfolk ‘Experts’ – We Need You

If you’re an expert in your field, based in West Norfolk, and would prepared to volunteer some of your precious time to help support fellow local business-people, please get in touch. Our drop-in sessions are designed to add value and support the business community, so anyone who’s interested in passing on their expertise in a non-salesy way will be warmly welcomed. We’d love to hear from you! Drop a quick email to Nicole Risby on email: nicole.risby@norfolkchamber.co.uk.

Sounds Amazing – When and Where?

All sessions will be held in the Council Chamber Room at the King’s Lynn Town Hall, Saturday Market Pl, Norfolk PE30 5DQ.  The next Two Hour Tuesday will be on the 14th May starting at 7.30am.

Dates for the rest of 2019:

• Tuesday 18th June
• Tuesday 23rd July
• Tuesday 20th August
• Tuesday 24th September
• Tuesday 8th October
• Tuesday 19th November
• Tuesday 3rd December

To get involved or find out more please contact Nicole Risby, Customer Experience Team, on 01603 729702 or by email: nicole.risby@norfolkchamber.co.uk

The Norwich Society celebrates Norwich’s unique character and beauty, helps preserve its heritage and contributes to shaping its future. We are seeking to develop closer links with businesses in Norwich in order to better inform our strategic thinking on the city’s future. Business and commerce has given the city its heritage and unique character – together we can work to leave a richer inheritance for future generations. We are seeking views on our Business Membership Scheme and how we can better engage with local businesses. Our questionnaire should only take a few minutes and we would really value your participation. https://forms.gle/asfXqU8DAjcCD73g6   For more information about our activities check out our website www.thenorwichsociety.org.uk

At Norfolk Chambers of Commerce we love to experience first-hand the amazing work our members do across the county. On the morning of Tuesday 30 April local businesses also joined us to see the great work done by the Hawk and Owl Trust as we held our first ‘netwalking’ event!  As members arrived at the Hawk and Owl Trust reserve in Sculthorpe we welcomed them with freshly cooked breakfast rolls and plenty of tea and coffee. Attendees were networking over breakfast enjoying views of two week old lambs out the window.  After a few words from the Hawk and Owl Trust Fundraiser, Angela Glynn, their Conservation Officer Nigel Middleton prepared attendees for the guided walk they were about to take across the 53 acre site. As Nigel guided us through the reserve, attendees had time to spark conversations both business and nature related to the sounds of various bird species around us! We stopped at several points along the walk to hear from Nigel about the reserve, including a treetop ‘Hide’ which was built entirely by volunteers for visitors to sit and watch from. After we’d finished our walk we gathered back in their facilities for a hot drink and continued conversations. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for businesses meet one another in a refreshing environment surrounded purely by nature and great work.  The Hawk and Owl Trust have recently launched a corporate membership scheme allowing businesses to join for a yearly donation, receiving membership cards for staff to use, an Owl nesting box via their ‘Adopt a Box’ scheme and much more. Get in touch to find out more.

Our businesses are the voice of this great county, and we all know how hard everyone works to push forward and to carve out a successful business profile. So, when companies achieve great things, we want to shout about it. With several Norfolk businesses winning Queen’s Awards this year; Liftshare, Snap-on and Panel Graphics; this is certainly something to shout about! Now in its 53rd year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2019 recognises the innovation and services provided by British businesses to the local, national and international markets. The awards also highlight the hard work and focus of running a successful business too. With 200 national businesses receiving these awards- there are four categories;

• International trade
• Innovation
• Sustainable growth
• Promoting opportunity  

Liftshare Our member, Liftshare has won this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise, which is great news! This is their second Queen’s award, winning their first back in 2008. To date Liftshare have helped their members to save 141,000 tonnes of CO2 and over £72, million in cost too. Wow, that is a lot of good environmental work, keep going!  Liftshare’s CEO, Ali Clabburn, said of the recognition: “Winning the award in 2008 was a huge honour, but to have won it again 11 years later is a testament to the incredible work my team has done to help companies and individuals to travel more sustainably. We are constantly innovating to provide our clients with cutting edge technology, alongside proven behavioural change techniques to guarantee the schemes we implement are a success.  Working with our base of over 700 clients to help them change and improve the way their staff travel is so satisfying, and their success really is our success.  The bigger and better their schemes become, the larger our network grows.” If you and your company could benefit from working Liftshare do get in touch. Snap-on Based in Kings Lynn, Snap-on is a leading manufacturer and supplier for automotive equipment and diagnostic platforms. Receiving two awards; Innovation Award and International Trade, Mark Ost General Manager for diagnostics and equipment at Snap-on, commented: “It is a true honour and privilege for our achievements here at Snap-on to be recognised with the rare and prestigious accolade of two separate Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Snap-on continues to grow in all markets at home and abroad and we will continue to work hard on bringing exciting new products and technologies to the markets we operate in as well as continuously demonstrating our commitment to innovation.” Panel Graphic Specialising in plastics that are layered with a special coating to make them non-reflective and easier to read. Panel Graphics supplies some of the largest and well-known brands such as Aston Martin, Lotus and other blue-chip companies. Managing Director Steve Earl commented on their success “Winning this prestigious award is a massive pat on the back for the whole Panel Graphics team, it also makes us realise the significant achievements the company has made in growing the business internationally by selling our highly innovative coatings and specialist plastic materials to some of the world’s biggest blue-chip organisations.”

We’re currently recruiting for two exciting roles to strengthen the team at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce: International Trade Coordinator and Customer Experience Team Member. 

We are looking for people with amazing passion and enthusiasm, who are committed to making a real difference, by supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors in this fast-paced environment.

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is a not for profit business membership organisation with over 900 members of all sizes and sectors. We provide networking opportunities, share knowledge, offer business services and support, international trade documentation, signposting to business opportunities and inspire innovative thinking to enable companies to do better business. Our mission is to connect, support and give voice to every business in Norfolk.

International Trade Coordinator 

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce provides crucial support for businesses trading internationally and businesses seeking advice. We are looking to recruit International Trade Coordinator to the busy International Trade Department to help businesses export/import their goods abroad. The ideal candidate must be used to working in a fast-paced environment working to deadlines for the quick turnaround of documentation to our customers.

Accredited Chambers of Commerce in every nation and region of the UK are trusted to help British goods reach customers overseas. By certifying the origin of goods, Chambers help to reduce the possibility that overseas customs authorities stop British shipments – helping to ensure the smooth passage of UK goods across international borders. The candidate will undergo international trade qualification to become one of the 350 qualified specialists in the UK Chamber Network, who are on hand every working day to help business and international trade to flourish.

To view full job role click here

Customer Experience Team Member

You’ll play an integral part within the Customer Experience Team, dealing with customer queries on a day to day basis and create new and innovative ways to help develop the business. You will actively engage by phone, email or at events with a wide range of business customers to understand and support their needs and then be motivated, inspired and driven to always exceed the customer’s expectations. The Customer Experience Team bridge and connect our customers across all our business areas (finance, international, policy and membership) and work within and environment of complete, transparency and customer care. This role is very varied with no two days being the same, you should be able to embrace change and be a natural problem solver.

To view full job role click here

Our offices are based in the outskirts of Norwich with free parking. Benefits include 26 days holiday plus bank holiday per annum, free healthcare cash plan and a pension scheme.

Closing date is Monday 13 May. First interviews for this role will take place on 23/24 May 2019, with second interviews taking place the following week.

Please apply through Indeed Jobs, clicking on the link to the role above. 

Following on from the success of our One Hour Networking in King’s Lynn we are going for bigger and better.  From May, our free networking will move from one hour on a Wednesday to Two Hours on a Tuesday.  At the same time, we will also be increasing the Chambers overall presence in West Norfolk; by taking on a monthly dedicated Chamber space at the Town Hall in the heart of King’s Lynn for all local businesses to drop in.

One becomes Two – new ‘Two Hour Tuesday’

It’s the same brilliant networking, only better! Join us for our usual early morning networking over coffee and pastries. Delivered, in partnership with Swarm Apprenticeships and Solace Coaching, we are expanding the morning from a one hour slot to a two hour slot – for those who want to continue networking and building more new business connections.

Bigger & Better – Drop in

Following the two hour networking slot, the Chambers Team has partnered with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, to enable us to remain at the King’s Lynn Town Hall for the rest of the day and we will be available for local businesses to drop in over the day to say hi, asks questions, find out more about us.  We will be joined by various ‘experts’ from within the Chambers membership, so you can have the opportunity to meet the Chamber team, discuss the ways we can support your business, as well as gaining knowledge from our on-hand experts.

West Norfolk ‘Experts’ – We Need You If you’re an expert in your field, based in West Norfolk, and would prepared to volunteer some of your precious time to help support fellow local business-people, please get in touch. Our drop-in sessions are designed to add value and support the business community, so anyone who’s interested in passing on their expertise in a non-salesy way will be warmly welcomed. We’d love to hear from you! – drop me an email: nicole.risby@norfolkchamber.co.uk.

Sounds Amazing – When and Where? All sessions will be held in the Council Chamber Room at the King’s Lynn Town Hall, Saturday Market Pl, Norfolk PE30 5DQ.  The next Two Hour Tuesday will be on the 14th May starting at 7.30am.

Dates for the rest of 2019:

• Tuesday 18th June
• Tuesday 23rd July
• Tuesday 20th August
• Tuesday 24th September
• Tuesday 8th October
• Tuesday 19th November
• Tuesday 3rd December

To get involved or find out more please contact Nicole Risby, Customer Experience Team, on 01603 729702 or by email: nicole.risby@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Staying up to date with our skills and professional learning is always a good thing. In fact, with the fast-moving working environment, this has become even more important. Attending a training course can give you a new approach to tasks, an investment in your knowledge, and helps to encourage your staff to grow professionally too.

With the support of our expert trainers who are specialists in their business areas, Chamber Training offers a diverse choice of half day courses across the year, with the Spring and Summer dates now released. 

Whether you are looking to develop your business writing, or hone your Instagram for your work account, or prepare documents for international trade, our training course are here to advance you and your business.

Here are some of our courses we have coming up: 

• Engaging Writing for Business – Tuesday, 30 April, 2019 
• Google Analytics – Wednesday, 1 May, 2019 
• Social Media Advertising – How To Succeed – Wednesday, 8 May, 2019 
• Time Management – Thursday, 9 May, 2019 
• The Essentials of Email Marketing – Tuesday, 14 May, 2019
• Finance for Non-Financial Managers – Friday, 17 May, 2019 
• Instagram for Business – Wednesday, 22 May, 2019 
• How to Improve your Sales Success – Thursday, 23 May, 2019 
• The Art of Networking – Tuesday, 4 June, 2019 
• Facebook for Business – Wednesday, 5 June, 2019 
• Create Profitable Google AdWords Campaigns – Thursday, 13 June, 2019

The courses comprise of small groups, with the chance for one to one support from the trainer, groups activities, and the opportunity to answer questions throughout. All handouts from the sessions will be available, and light refreshments with tea and coffee will be included too. 

What’s not to like, book today here: https://www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/training

Is your business ready for Brexit? Are you a customs agent? Or does your company use customs agents and intermediaries to help you trade with the EU?

If so, you need to know how to meet customs requirements fast and efficiently after the UK leaves the EU. There will be new processes to follow and new forms to complete. We can help. Our training will highlight what you need to know to be able to accurately complete a simple customs declaration.

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have launched a new training course on Customs Declaration with dates in May and June to help businesses understand the procedure ahead of Brexit. These courses are affordable with grant funding available from HMRC to cover up to 70% of the training costs.

Dates

The full day training course will take place at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce office in Norwich from 9am – 4.30pm on; 

Tuesday, 21 May, 2019  Tuesday, 18 June, 2019

Prices

Grant funding: this is available from HMRC with up to 70% of training cost covered. Please note the availability of this funding is limited, and will close on 31 May. You can find out more at  www.customsintermediarygrant.co.uk 

Member Rate: £280 + VAT (only £84+VAT with 70% HMRC funding) Non-Member Rate: £350 + VAT (only £105+VAT with 70% HMRC funding)  

To find out more information about the course and to book please click on the link of the dates of the training courses above. 

For any further information please contact Julie Austin, International Trade Manager on 01603 729706 or email julie.austin@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Norwich Business School is hosting a free “Doing Business with China” networking event for Norfolk businesses at the University of East Anglia on Wednesday 03 July 2019 from 5pm – 8pm.

The event will provide an opportunity to tap into the social capital, knowledge and talent of a group of around 65 Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) MBA students that are visiting our region. Over two thirds of the students have between seven to ten years work experience as professionals or entrepreneurs. They have worked in a wide range of industries, with the top sectors being: Manufacturing, Financial/Professional services, Creative, Arts and Entertainment and Food.  The students have contacts and networks throughout China, including the provinces of Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai.  They are looking to explore new business ideas, collaborations and build local links.

Businesses could benefit if they are, for example: considering importing and exporting; looking to create Chinese partnerships; or seeking foreign investment or referrals; or simply just doing market research in the Chinese market. Interaction will take place through talks, speed networking, breakout sessions and targeted connections.

If your business would like to attend this unique event, please register your interest at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/would-you-like-to-do-business-with-china-tickets-61036767615