Adam Barker

Cadeler has signed contracts worth approximately €805 million with COSCO Shipping Offshore in Qidong, China, for two new T-class offshore wind installation vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031. The Danish company, which has its UK headquarters in Norwich, says the vessels will be its largest and most capable yet and will support the installation of larger, more technically demanding offshore wind projects. Cadeler doubled its fleet from five to 10 vessels in 2025, helping net profit rise to €280 million from €65 million the previous year, and recently moved its UK team to larger offices at St Andrews Business Park.

Jarrolds retail managing director John Adams has retired after 44 years with the Norfolk company. He helped transform the business toward experience-led retail, including its food hall, restaurants, wine bars, cheese room, Letheringsett farm shop and restaurant, and own-brand products. Adams, who received the 2023 Norfolk Business Leaders Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, was praised by chief executive Nick Steven-Jones for his lasting contribution. Tim Shattock has been appointed as his successor.

Anglia Innovation Partnership has appointed Bernie Williams as enterprise network manager and Jodi-Rae Green as science collaboration manager for agri-food at Norwich Research Park. Williams will oversee the incubator and BioTransitions accelerator programmes, while Green will connect academic research with businesses. Both appointments are intended to support startups, attract companies, create local jobs and strengthen industry access to the park’s research expertise.

Norfolk employers warn that proposed reforms to zero-hours contracts could increase administration, staffing and compensation costs, reduce flexibility and discourage recruitment. Government analysis estimates the changes could cost businesses up to £2.9 billion annually, including about £1.2 billion in compensation for cancelled shifts, depending on how widely the policy applies. Hospitality and retail are expected to be particularly affected because they rely on seasonal and short-notice labor. Business groups say the reforms come amid already high employment costs and could further reduce opportunities, especially for young people, while the government says the changes are intended to provide workers with greater income security and predictable hours.

Students across Norfolk and Waveney celebrated A-Level, T-Level, BTEC and Level 3 results as university admissions increased. Nationally, 262,000 18-year-olds secured university or college places, with 79% gaining their first choice, while 9.6% of A-Level entries received an A*. The East of England recorded 27.9% of grades at A* or A, below London’s 32.7% and above the North East and East Midlands’ 23.1%, highlighting a widening regional attainment gap. The results also showed boys achieving higher A* rates than girls for the second consecutive year, while Andy Burnham’s government is promoting technical training alongside university education.

Norwich City Football Club has renewed its partnership with London-based Willy's Pies, making the company its official pie partner through 2029. Willy's Pies, founded by chef Will Lewis during lockdown, will continue supplying pies at Carrow Road after serving as the club's sleeve sponsor last season. The matchday selection includes beef mince and Westcombe cheddar, roast chicken, sage and onion, and curried potato, pea and mango chutney pies. Both Lewis and Norwich City's commercial director Ed Turnham praised the partnership and its focus on quality and distinctive matchday catering.

Norwich-based ski travel company SkiYodl, founded by Oliver Dannatt and Simon Latarche, has entered liquidation and appointed Richard Cacho of RCM Advisory as liquidator. The company offered self-catered Alpine accommodation and a concierge app covering ski passes, equipment hire, transfers, lessons and local services. SkiYodl raised £770,000 from 450 Crowdcube investors in 2021 after earlier seed funding, but its expansion was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Omicron variant. The company later recorded £500,000 in revenue over three months after France reopened its borders.

A Norwich technology firm, Virilitas Labs, secured more than £700,000 in combined grant and private investment funding to advance its 15‑minute at‑home male fertility test and companion health app. The Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst grant supports further development of the firm’s lateral‑flow diagnostic technology, which originated from research at the University of East Anglia. Founders Simone Immler and Daniel Marcu highlight declining sperm counts and a lack of male‑focused fertility care as key challenges the product aims to address, with the app providing tailored health guidance and AI‑supported assistance.

A £500,000 Innovate UK grant will support BugBiome’s development of a biological insecticide targeting cabbage stem flea beetles in oilseed rape. The Norwich-based agri‑biotech firm will collaborate with the John Innes Centre, Harper Adams University and Applied Insect Science over a 24‑month project. CEO Alicia Showering said the initiative expands the company’s work into beetle control and builds on progress with its aphicide product, aided by access to research expertise at Norwich Research Park. Leading beetle specialists, including Rachel Wells and Tom Pope, will contribute to the project, which aims to produce a commercial treatment following completion.

British Sugar plans to close its Cantley factory in Norfolk after more than a century, citing high energy costs, low European sugar prices and declining volumes. Production will be consolidated at three other UK plants, affecting 104 employees. NFU Sugar and local growers voiced strong concerns over the impact on farming businesses and the future of domestic beet production, while MP Jerome Mayhew described the closure as devastating and criticised government energy policy. British Sugar emphasised that its remaining factories can meet demand and said consultations with unions and workers will begin. The Cantley site will operate through the upcoming campaign, and future uses will be explored after processing ends, concluding a long history dating back to 1912.

The Pallet Loop has formed a partnership with UK housebuilder Keepmoat to expand the use of reusable green pallets across 79 construction sites, aiming to reduce waste generated by single‑use timber pallets. The system offers financial incentives for returned pallets and supports broader sustainability goals within the construction industry, adding to the company’s existing partnerships with major building‑material suppliers.

Hawthorne has opened new headquarters at Hellesdon Business Park in Norwich to support continued growth across East Anglia. The company has invested in staff, operations and customer experience, strengthened its leadership team, and added new clients as demand for security services rises. Managing director Leanne Osborne said the move reflects the firm’s progress and future direction, and Hawthorne is now recruiting to support its expanding commercial team.

The chief executive of Broadland Housing Association warns that Andy Burnham’s plan to expand social and council housebuilding will fail without major investment in construction skills, as the UK faces severe labour shortages and high vacancy levels in the sector. Historical output shows current government housing targets are unrealistic without increased funding and a larger workforce. Rising building costs, land prices and reduced developer commitments are worsening supply issues, while social housing waiting lists and temporary accommodation numbers continue to hit record highs.

Delta Fire received two 2025 King’s Awards for Enterprise, recognising its achievements in innovation and sustainable development. The honours were presented at the company’s Norwich headquarters by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk. The family-owned manufacturer supplies advanced firefighting equipment to over 100 countries, with its Attack Pro nozzle range widely used by UK fire services. Company leadership highlighted the awards as validation of its ongoing investment, growth and commitment to advancing firefighting technology.