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Proud to be an Export Champion

East of England Export Champion 2020 4Col thumbnail2US2U Consulting have been awarded the prestigious title of 2020 Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade.

This is in recognition of the international work we have done over the last few years, with international projects and trade visits to the likes of Belgium, Ireland, Canada, USA and across the Middle East - along with the insights our teams can share with other businesses looking to export their goods and services. Read more >>>

News & Events

US2U Consulting Nominated for Broadland & South Norfolk Business Award 2023

US2U Consulting are very pleased to have been shortlisted as one of three nominees for a Broadland & South Norfolk 2023 Business Award, for "Excellence in Insurance, Financial and Professional Services".

The judges visited our office on 24 January and the winner will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 7 March at Carrow Road.

We will keep you posted!

End of Year US2U News Round Up

It's been a busy end to 2022 as we have been busy supporting clients and the professional community. A few recent highlights of what US2U Consulting have been up to are below:

Creative Swiping with ETA Green Power at Worldwide FruitETA at Worldwide Fruit

We often encourage our clients to visit other clients of ours, often from different industries, to conduct 'Creative Swiping' activities to drive their continuous improvement strategies. We recently arranged for Norfolk-based ETA Green Power to visit Worldwide Fruit in Lincolnshire to do just this. "It was a superb day; we have learnt lots of practical things that we can use to develop our continuous improvement culture" said Craig Joryeff, QHSE Manager, ETA Green Power.

 

ETA Green Power IET Partnership ProgrammeIET and ETA

We have been pleased to also recently launch the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Partnership Programme for our client ETA Green Power. "It is great that we have joined this world class network" said Liam Bowman, CTO, ETA Green Power.

 

Boniface Engineering 40th Anniversary celebrations continueBoniface and ASAMS

Rounding up the 40th anniversary year celebrations of Thetford-based Boniface Engineering Ltd, we were pleased to attend the sponsorship event with our client Thomas Whiskin, Managing Director of ASAMS Ltd. It was another great opportunity to see a truck recovered quickly from a crashed position by the internationally-renowned Boniface Engineering equipment. Pictured from left to right are Thomas Whiskin, Rachel Blackburn, and Boniface Engineering's General Manager Jackie Rix and Managing Director Mike Boniface.

 

Rachel Blackburn speaks on a Hays Recruitment webinar on Equality, Diversity and InclusionHays EDI to attract and retain people

Attracting and retaining great staff is forecast to continue to be a challenge during 2023. We were pleased to be invited to speak at a recent Hays Recruitment Webinar about the importance of maintaining focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as a key part of an organisation's People Strategy - not in a 'woke' way but in a 'Let's make this a great place to work for all" way. More information about the ED&I survey we conducted during the webinar will follow next year.

 

The Gem Appeal Charity Ball in ManchesterGem Ball

The Gem Appeal was started back in 1994 to raise funds for genetic research with a view to treating and hopefully one day eradicating life-limiting disorders. Two of the team were pleased to attend the Denise Welch Enchanted Wonderland Ball in Manchester in November, which was raising funds to support the appeal. Rachel Blackburn is pictured with some celebrities who attended the event.

 

We have enjoyed working with many different organisations this year as they navigated the challenges of 2022, and we look forward to continuing to make a positive difference to our clients in 2023.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how US2U Consulting can help you have a successful 2023.

US2U Consulting organise educational Norwich School visit to client ETA Green Power

We are pleased to have recently arranged for our client, Norfolk-based green energy engineering and technology company ETA Green Power, to host two educational site visits for Norwich School sixth form Business Enterprise students.

The visits on 24 November and 1 December were aimed at providing the students with insight into and understanding of a real life, cutting-edge business case study - and it was great to do so at an exciting and local company such as ETA Green Power, based at Hethel Engineering Centre. These visits also had the benefit of enabling ETA Green Power to continue to strenghthen its links with the local community.

The Norwich School visits also come off the back of US2U Consulting's sponsorship of the school's Young Chamber scheme for the 2022-23 academic year, and the inspirational business talks delivered by our team to these business students at the school in September 2022.

Norwich School's Head of Economics & Business Enterprise and Young Chamber Coordinator, Tom White, said "The time Norwich School spent at ETA Green Power was perhaps the best possible use of a couple of hours for a group of 16-17-year-old pupils who are still fresh to their Business course. The ETA Green Power session was tailored and delivered perfectly for its audience. The ETA Green Power team are all very engaging speakers and I was really impressed by their ability to paint a clear picture in such an accessible and interesting way. Thanks also to Rachel for setting up this terrific link."

We look forward to organising more exciting initiatives for our clients and partners in 2023. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to see how US2U Consulting can make a positive difference to your organisation.

Back of the Net: US2U Consulting Sponsor a Local Football Team!

At US2U Consulting, our team has many years' experience of helping organisations achieve their goals. We recently committed to helping a different sort of team achieve a different sort of goal - as we became a trainingwear and shirt sponsor of Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers FC Under 12s team!

This means that the US2U Consulting logo will be proudly worn on the backs of their maroon training tracksuit tops and on the front of the training shirts for the 2022-23 season - which will also be used as the away kit when playing matches on the road this season.

We are excited to see our logo used in this way, as it is the first time have sponsored a football team and a sports kit! We have previously sponsored local cricket club Horsford CC and have a sponsorship board at their home ground in Norfolk.

It is great to be able to support local initiatives and sports teams in this way.

Good luck to Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers FC Under 12s this season - we look forward to seeing our logo in action soon!

Rachel Blackburn, Director, US2U Consulting is pictured with Ross Taylor of the Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers FC Under 12s management team.

IMG 1459 website

US2U and ABC Taxis Partnership Reaches its Destination: Bitter Sweet End to a Journey

US2U Consulting Guarantees to Make a Positive Difference to any business that it works with. Sometimes the success is tinged with an element of sadness as it signals an end of era. Such has been the result of the continued growth of our long-standing client ABC Taxis in Norwich - resulting in it recently being acquired by Veezu, the UK's leading private hire technology platform.

Back in 2009, the Directors of ABC Taxis in Norwich asked Rachel Blackburn to review the business and work with them to create a growth plan. At that time the business, whilst being the largest in Norwich, had just 50 cars. Rachel, pictured with ABC Taxis Director Simon Callender, worked with the Directors and the management team to embed an annual business planning cycle where we reviewed the business goals, the operating environment, the competition, the structure, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

We also put in place a clear set of values called "The ABC Way" and the strapline "Achieving Best Customer Service". By taking this disciplined approach the business has grown steadily to having around 350 cars today. This has enabled the people of Norwich and the surrounding area to enjoy and benefit from high standards of customer service, safety and efficiency as well as meaningful work for drivers and staff.

Rachel said, "Particular highlights have been securing the grant investment to enable ABC Taxis to buy their first two eco cars in 2013, organising the first ABC Taxis presence at the Lord Mayors Procession in 2012 and also working with them to secure their licence in Broadland in addition to Norwich in 2018. We also enjoyed making several corporate films for marketing and training purposes (watch the Equal Opportunities and Diversity video here) and celebrating their 25th birthday in 2019.

Simon reflected, "Back in 2009 we needed to have a clear plan for the business and it was great to be rescued by Rachel. We wish to thank her and the US2U Consulting Team who have worked with us for their help in getting us to this point. This is an exciting chapter in the ABC Taxis journey."

To learn how US2U Consulting can make a Positive Difference to your organisation to take you to the next level, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Export Champion Networking Event

US2U Consulting has been proud to have been awarded Export Champion status by the Department for International Trade back in 2020. We often use our international trading experience to support our clients' overseas business strategies.

As part of International Trade Week, 31 October - 4 November 2022, we were pleased to have a presence at an Export Champion networking event on 31 October at Lancaster House, London, hosted by Andrew Mitchell, Director General, Exports & UK Trade, at the Department for International Trade.

The event was organised for the start of the Department for International Trade's (DIT) International Trade Week to celebrate the contributions of the 2022-23 Export Champion cohort. Export Champions inspire and encourage other businesses to export. This event was an opportunity to thank Export Champions from across the UK for their services and it was an excellent platform to network with other Export Champions across the country.

Our client, Alan Hardingham, Chief Financial Officer of ETA Green Power said, "It was really interesting to meet so many different people who have a track record of exporting and discuss the challenges we are managing."

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how we can assist your organisation with your international strategy.

US2U Consulting Support McKinna Charity Ball 2022

US2U Consulting were pleased to support and sponsor a table at the McKinna Charity Ball 2022 which was held at Sprowston Manor in Norwich on Saturday 15th October.

This was a great night for some good causes. The event raised almost £9500 - and counting - which will be split between three chosen charities. These are the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Medical Detection Dogs and Aylsham First Responders.

We were pleased to be a part of this successful evening!

US2U Consulting duo deliver business advice to Norwich School 'Young Chamber' students - Sponsorship Update

US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn and her son, US2U team member Kerwin Blackburn visited Norwich School on Wednesday, 28th September to speak to around 50 sixth form business students enrolled on Norwich School's Young Chamber programme for 2022-23 - the entrepreneurial initiative that we are sponsoring for this academic year.

Norwich School's Young Chamber programme is the year-long scheme that allows students to set up their own businesses and gain valuable real-world entrepreneurial experience alongside their school studies. The programme has been established by Norwich School alongside the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. We are pleased to be the primary sponsors of the programme for the year, and to support the development of the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.

With the session aimed at providing the students with advice for starting their businesses as they kick off the initiative for the year, Rachel spoke about the importance and practicalities of developing a solid business plan.

Kerwin then spoke about his own entrepreneurial experience of growing his e-commerce art business, By Kerwin (www.bykerwin.com), sharing with the students the key tips that he has learnt.

Norwich School Development Director, Jonathan Pearson, reflected, "It was a pleasure hearing you share with our young people your extensive experience and top tips. Your enthusiasm came through so clearly and through such 'gold dust' advice. The kids do not know how lucky they are to have received such a masterclass. They would do well to take such counsel with them into Young Chamber but also into the real world beyond Norwich School."

We look forward to seeing the progress of these student-run businesses in the coming months! Read Norwich School's write-up of this event on their website here.

Pictured is Rachel Blackburn alongside Tom White, Norwich School's Head of Economics & Business Enterprise, and Young Chamber Coordinator.

NSPCC Childline Ball 2022

We were pleased to support the NSPCC Childline 'Glamour of Manchester' Ball 2022, held at The Midland Hotel in Manchester, for the fourth time on Saturday 24th September.

The Childline service gives children and young people a voice when no one else is listening. Whatever problems or dangers they face, it gives them somewhere to turn to for support when they need it.

It was a great evening and around £90k was raised to support this charity.

You may spot that Rachel (pictured) is wearing the same dress as when we sponsored the Norfolk Recruitment Awards in 2009 - so we link this event to two pillars of our Sustainability Policy 2021.

Ryan Vickers Interview Part 3 With Boniface Engineering

The third and final part of our interview series featuring British Superbike racer Ryan Vickers - a project we have been producing for Boniface Engineering's 40th anniversary in 2022 - is out now.

Both Boniface Engineering and Ryan are from Thetford, and Boniface have been sponsoring Ryan in the Bennetts British Superbikes Championship for a number of years. Just before their season got underway we sat down with Ryan to find out more about the challenges, successes and key points in his motorbike racing career so far. Ryan also made his first appearance in the World Superbike Championship earlier in 2022.

Boniface Engineering was US2U Consulting's first client back in 2006, so we are delighted to have been tasked with scripting, filming and producing this interview series. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with us to find out how engaging video content can help elevate your organisation's message.

Watch 'Part 3: Speeding Into The Future' below - click here to revisit Part 1 and Part 2 here.

The current Bennetts British Superbike Championship will be running over the next few months and airs on Eurosport on race weekends - featuring the Boniface Engineering 40th anniversary logo that we designed, which Ryan proudly wears on his helmet during races.

This interview episode was released at the weekend to coincide with the Snetterton meetup on the British Superbikes circuit - Ryan's local track. Unfortunately Ryan suffered a concussion in Race 1 on Saturday 10th September so was forced to miss Races 2 and 3 on Sunday - much to the disappointment of many local fans who were looking forward to seeing him in action. Nevertheless we look forward to continuing to watch him on Eurosport over the rest of this season and seeing him at Snetterton in future seasons!