The Biz Quiz: Banham buyout confirmed as Aviva boss announces step down
More than 100 businesses took stands at the Norfolk Chamber B2B Exhibition 2018. Picture: Paul Harrison Photography. - Credit: Paul Harrison Photography
Whilst national headlines are rocked with big-name brands collapsing into administration, it's been a positive week for the region's businesses.
Banham Poultry will be staying in Norfolk thanks to a buyout, and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce's B2B exhibition was celebrated as the biggest event yet.
Here are some of the headlines you may have missed this week, and don't forget to try your hand at our BizQuiz:
• Confirmed: Deal is struck to save 1,000 jobs at Banham PoultryA deal to sell the Attleborough firm to Derbyshire's Chesterfield Poultry, in a pre-pack administration, was confirmed on October 6, after a frantic three days of negotiations to save more than 1,000 jobs at the firm.
Banham boss Martyn Bromley said: 'We've managed to do a deal that preserves the jobs at Attleborough and beyond.'
The company will also be recruiting for a further 100 jobs.
• Aviva boss stepping down after 'successful turnaround'Aviva chief executive Mark Wilson is standing down after more than five years at the helm.
The Norwich-based insurer said on Tuesday that Mr Wilson would leave his executive role immediately but will remain with the group until a successor is appointed in April 2019.
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It came as the group hailed a successful turnaround, which culminated in a pledge in its spring results to deploy £2bn of excess capital.
• Firms flock to biggest-ever Norfolk Chamber B2B ExhibitionThe Norfolk Chamber B2B Exhibition 2018 was held at Carrow Road, with two floors of businesses seeking to make connections and forge links with each other.
The 2018 edition saw a record number of exhibitors, with the Chamber having to start a waiting list to cope with demand.
The best in show award was given to the East Anglia's Children's Hospices' carnival-themed stand.
• 100% of Norfolk manufacturers report recruitment difficulties - but is the onus on them?100% of companies surveyed in The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), published by the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, say they are having difficulty finding the right staff.
The research has also found that the proportion of companies recruiting has fallen 10 points to 75%.
But Richard Bridgman, founder of Thetford's Warren Services, who this year was made an OBE for services to training young people, said that the onus was on firms to stop 'whinging' about the shortage, and 'get involved' in bringing young people into work.
• Better gender equality in Norfolk's boardrooms is key aim for new Chamber presidentFiona Ryder, who assumed the post at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce this month, said she will strive to promote equality and diversity in the upper echelons of the county's business community in her two-year tenure.
It follows revelations last year that women only account for one in seven board members at Norfolk and Suffolk's biggest companies.
