After living in several different parts of the UK — from the North East to Hertfordshire and Leamington Spa — I was looking for somewhere that combined the vibrancy of city life with the calm of the countryside.
It’s a city full of energy and creativity, but also surrounded by beautiful open spaces. I immediately felt a strong sense of community here, which made it the ideal place to put down roots both personally and professionally.
My background is in software development, and over the years I worked across various sectors before launching my own business. These experiences taught me how to move an idea from a rough concept through to a finished, market-ready product.
The idea for my first business, Rehook, came when I dropped my chain while cycling to a meeting and couldn’t get it back on without making a mess.
I realised there was no easy, portable tool to solve this everyday cycling problem. So I designed one.
That simple moment sparked the creation of Rehook: a tool that helps people get their bike chain back on quickly and cleanly.
We were able to prototype and manufacture our parts locally and I was fortunate to meet some amazing supportive business owners who explained the details of various areas of manufacturing. We now manufacture the key components of our flagship products within a bike ride of our base at Hethel Engineering Centre. Hethel, acts as a business incubator for manufacturing and gives access to a network of engineering expertise and support that accelerated our growth. Being close to local manufacturers meant faster development cycles, better communication, and a real sense of partnership.
More recently, my wife Anna and I launched a second venture: IP Moat.
While Rehook tackled a practical cycling issue, IP Moat addresses a major digital problem — helping small businesses protect themselves against online counterfeits. Having faced the challenges of brand protection ourselves, we witnessed first hand how expensive and complicated it was to monitor and defend your products on marketplaces around the world.
IP Moat provides affordable tools that automatically detect counterfeit listings and help businesses defend their intellectual property online. What’s exciting is that 85% of IP Moat’s customers are international, with the majority based in the USA.
Our goal for IP Moat is to continue empowering small and medium-sized brands worldwide. We’re developing more features to make IP protection proactive rather than reactive, helping businesses protect their reputation and revenue without needing a large legal team.
Through both Rehook and IP Moat, I’ve seen first-hand why Norwich and Norfolk are such fantastic places to start and grow a business.
Networking events, business support organisations, and a “can-do” attitude make it easy to find collaborators and opportunities. Plus, the cost of living and operating is lower compared to bigger cities, without sacrificing access to talent or quality of life.
Outside of work, there’s so much to enjoy about living here. Cycling through the Norfolk countryside, spending time on the coast, and exploring the Broads are among my favourite ways to relax and recharge. Norwich itself has a rich blend of history, culture, and independent spirit — from its vibrant arts scene to its incredible food and drink offering.
Working in NorwichFor entrepreneurs considering relocating here, I’d say this: Norwich offers a unique combination of inspiration, opportunity, and support. It’s big enough to be exciting, small enough to be personal, and packed with people and places that will help you bring your ideas to life
Wayne Taylor
After travelling across the country and exploring the very best our cities, towns and villages have to offer, The Sunday Times’ expert judges have made their decision: Norwich has officially been named the Best Place to Live in the UK for 2026. Find out what made us top the list!
