CITY IN SHOP WINDOW OF WORLD
Norwich’s financial services industry finds itself in the shop window of the world thanks to the latest initiative to promote the regional strength of the sector.
The city’s role as a leading UK financial centre is featured in a new glossy magazine to be sent out across the globe.
Appropriately Norwich provided the stage for the launch of the magazine and a brochure, produced by UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) financial services Regional Forum, which will see a total of 3,600 copies distributed to British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates worldwide.
Fig was at the heart of the event as it played host to the UKTI’s financial services Regional Forum and used the occasion to also launch its own new website at www.fignorfolk.com.
It was a chance to wave the flag for the city, its financial sector, for Fig and for the excellence of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services.
The celebrations got under way the evening before with a Fig Top Table dinner hosted at the prestigious Marble Hall by Norwich Union just a few weeks before its name change to Aviva.
Norwich Union Portfolio Director Diane Cougill was host to members, representatives from the local financial industry and from the UKTI central financial services team. At the dinner, the magazine, titled ‘UK Financial Services – delivering regional expertise’, was formally launched by Regional Forum outgoing Chairman David Read.
The publication showcases financial centres in areas including Scotland, Manchester, Leeds and, importantly, Norwich, to inform overseas investors of the skills, knowledge and opportunities available.
It features Norwich’s expertise in insurance, profiles Swiss Re, the world’s largest re-insurance business, which came to Norwich in 2007, and includes information on the city as a centre for financial training and education.
The new Fig website, as previously reported, focuses on news, events, seminars and links, providing an online information source and forum for the industry and investors.
The UKTI Regional Forum works with the Financial Services Sector Advisory Board (FSSAB) to promote the UK’s financial services internationally and the UK as a destination for international investment, which includes highlighting the qualities of regional centres like Norwich.
Fig Director Marjorie Eade is part of the Forum and through its publishing sub-group has worked hard to help create the new glossy magazine and a fold out brochure to promote the regions’ strengths.
All the activity has helped to give the Norwich industry the highest possible profile and to focus on the value of the National Skills Academy, described by Marjorie as having fantastic facilities.
There was a chance for 21 Forum members to see for themselves, when they met at the Academy the next day it’s value firsthand. After learning about Norwich’s financial industry and the Academy facilities, the group heard from guest speakers from city institutions Maritime London and the China-Britain Business Council. At the Forum David Read (NWDA) announced the election of new Chairman, Mark Chadwick representing Liverpool, and Mark Robson, representing Yorkshire and Humberside, took on the role of Vice Chairman. The meeting concluded with a tour of the Academy.
After the Forum gathering, a delighted Marjorie Eade said that the new Academy had impressed everyone, including representatives from large centres such as Manchester.
“We also enjoyed some encouraging feedback on the success of the dinner from all who were there, including Mark Spalding, who led the UKTI central team.
“The local financial sector deserves worldwide recognition and the magazine will re-inforce Norwich’s position as a leading financial centre.
“There are exciting opportunities for financial businesses in Norwich, both large and small, to trade overseas. The launch of our new website will provide an important online presence for the financial sector in Norwich.
"We would like to thank Norwich Union for giving us the opportunity to host the launch of the magazine and our new website at their headquarters and to the National Skills Academy for supporting the Regional Forum.”
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