Oxford-Cambridge Arc a ‘significant opportunity’ for Norfolk and Suffolk
The Oxford Cambridge Arc is a significant opportunity for Norfolk and Suffolk but a stronger focus on housing, ‘liveability and place-making’ alongside East West rail will be needed if the region to reach it growth potential, according to KPMG. Joe Faulkner (right), KPMG UK’s East Anglia office senior partner, said the project will connect three million people across one of the UK’s most highly skilled labour markets but only with sustained investment in transport, housing and infrastructure. “Growth at this scale only works if people want to live as well as work in the region,” he said. “Norfolk and Suffolk have strong sectors like cleantech and life sciences, supported by highly skilled workforces, but connectivity has made it harder for local businesses to access investment and specialist talent. The Arc will integrate East Anglia’s distinct sectoral strengths into the wider innovative ecosystem.” The Arc was described as a ‘super-cluster ecosystem’ capable of rivalling the world’s leading business hubs. Contributing more than £100bn a year to the UK economy, it is home to Europe’s largest concentration of university spin-outs, several global unicorns and more than 8,000 high-tech firms.
Water utility embarks on ‘largest-ever’ year of investment to upgrade infrastructure
Anglian Water is embarking on a major upgrade to the region’s water networks as the company gets underway with what it says is its largest-ever single year of investment. From April, £1.6 billion of improvements are set to be made to the region’s water and sewerage infrastructure, a nine per cent rise on the last financial year. It will involve new infrastructure and upgrades to improve performance and resilience against climate change. East Anglia is one of the driest and fastest growing regions in the country. Regionwide schemes set to be delivered by 2030 include a strategic pipeline, which will transport water from wetter parts of the region in the north, to the drier areas in the south and east and replacing 1000km of water mains. In a £47 million investment, the group will build 35 new storm tanks across the East. Since April 2025, construction teams have broken ground on more than 850 capital delivery schemes, as part of its five-year business plan, worth a total £11 billion. Meanwhile, average customer bills are expected to rise by 7 per cent. this year. Don Maher, director of customer and operational services for Anglian Water, said: “We do everything we can to keep our bills affordable, and water bills are still one of the cheapest household bills. But delivering the services and environmental protections that we know customers expect to see does mean we need to spend more on that infrastructure today.”
Business owners urged to stay vigilant as insolvency levels stay at historic highs
A fall in monthly insolvencies is an encouraging sign for East Anglian companies but business owners should remain vigilant as annual figures are at historic highs, says the Eastern branch of R3. Corporate insolvencies in England and Wales fell by ten per cent in December to 1,671 from November and were down by 13pc on December a year earlier. R3 Eastern chair Hayley Watson (right) said: “….Compulsory liquidation levels have increased to their highest annual number in thirteen years as creditors take firmer action to recover debts to manage pressures in their own businesses. Furthermore, creditors’ voluntary liquidation numbers over the past four years are at their highest levels since records began in 1960….Heading into 2026, the lasting effects of elevated costs, restricted access to finance and subdued customer demand continue to stretch cashflow, particularly for smaller and mid-sized firms.” Full year figures for 2025 show a fractional increase in insolvencies to 23,938 from 23,880 in the previous year.
Suffolk law firm expands extends local presence with incorporation
Suffolk law firm Smith & Co Solicitors has strengthened its presence across the county with the incorporation of another firm, Adept Legal. The move will bolster its conveyancing and private client expertise and extend its local presence across Ipswich, Felixstowe, Haverhill and Sudbury. After the expansion, the mainly female-led firm has 24 staff, aged from 20 to 65. Vicky Hosking, managing partner at Smith & Co Solicitors, said: “…This is a really positive step for our firm and, most importantly, for our clients. Adept Legal brings with it a highly respected team with deep local knowledge and experience, particularly in conveyancing.”
Housebuilder supports older jobseekers with work experience
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey East Anglia recently appointed three older jobseekers for work experience as part of a project with the DWP to support unemployed candidates over 50. In January, the housebuilder gave jobseekers Joy Smith, Christine Thomas and Tibor Pinter two days of work experience at its Bury St Edmunds office to support them in finding work in their desired disciplines. Julie Pearce, Taylor Wimpey’s regional apprentice manager, said: “We hope that their work experience with Taylor Wimpey gave them additional knowledge, skills and boosted their confidence to continue their search for their next role.”
Cambridge company recognises long-serving employees
Cambridge company Domino recently held a special event for employees who have completed long service milestones of ten, 20 and 30 years. The Bar Hill-based company launched its ‘Double Five’ Club as a way of marking the contribution made by its employees to its success as a global business. The latest awards recognised 38 employees; 12 completing 30 years, ten completing 20 years and 16 completing ten years. Each staff member was included in a special booklet, with a profile and photo highlighting their roles over the years and their hobbies and interests. In total 386 UK employees (44.5per cent) have completed more than ten years’ service and 40pc of employees globally are in the firm’s Double Five Club. Robert Pulford, CEO at Domino, said: “Many started with us in junior roles and have enjoyed career progression over the years, some studying for higher qualifications with our support. People are at the very forefront of our business and I’d like to say a huge thank you to this group for all they have done and continue to do for Domino.”
Photo: Domino employees are recognised for their long service awards.
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