Baker Tilly has appointed two new members to its VAT and indirect taxes team in East Anglia.

Gillian McGill has been appointed VAT associate director, having previously worked for Grant Thornton.

She originally worked in corporate tax before specialising in VAT and other indirect taxes. Gillian has a particular interest in both the not-for-profit sector, and international issues affecting clients across the region.

Linda Whyte has been appointed VAT associate. Linda started her career with HM Revenue & Customs, before moving to Ernst & Young and later PWC. She has experience in most aspects of VAT, and more specifically in the areas of charities, land and property, construction and education.

Gillian and Linda will join the VAT team led by Baker Tilly partner Anne Holt.

Anne said: “I am delighted to welcome Gillian and Linda to our successful team.

“Their knowledge and experience will help us to increase our strong offering to our clients demonstrating our continuing investment in the region.”

: : East Bergholt-based Fargo Systems, which provides software to the transport industry, has appointed Jim Slade as product consultant.

Jim’s role will be to work directly with customers to train and integrate Fargo System’s pioneering TOPS, TOPs…on the go and CYMAN systems.

Previously, he worked with a container transport company across its Middlesbrough, Tilbury and Felixstowe depots and brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge combined with an enthusiasm for both the logistics sector and software.

“Joining Fargo Systems from the haulage industry, I understand the pressures our customers have to work under, so it’s great being able to work alongside them finding solutions for day-to-day issues and suggesting new ways of working to ensure the features of our products are being fully utilised, therefore providing the highest level of help possible,” he said.

: : Two new company directors have been appointed from existing staff members at Great Blakenham-based natural flavours and fragrances specialist Omega Ingredients. Gerry Stopps becomes sales and marketing director and Melanie Evans technical and creative director, using their vast industry experience to help direct the expansion of the business.

Gerry Stopps, 53, worked for Heinz in new product development early in his career and has spent the last 21 years working for an international flavour and fragrance company. His previous experience of heading the flavour unit there will be utilised in his new role at Omega Ingredients, where he develops sales for the business.

He is based at the company’s premises in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, but spends much of his time visiting large national customers face to face.

Originally from Surrey, Melanie Evans moved to Suffolk in 1996 to manage the flavour development team in an ingredients company and she now lives in Norfolk.

Her new role as technical and creative director involves creating innovative flavours for the flavour industry and she is responsible for the production and technical facilities at Omega Ingredients, where she heads a dynamic team.

: : Peter Flatt has joined Gipping Construction, based at Baylham, near Needham Market, as a contract manager.

Peter has worked in the industry for more than 25 years and is well known to many professionals and clients. His office-based role will include managing an extension to a swimming pool building in Dovercourt, refurbishing two sheltered housing near Dereham, and other projects that Gipping has recently been awarded.

Director Chris McEwen said: “Peter will be working with our team delivering quality projects safely and professionally. I am sure that his experience, energy and enthusiasm will prove to be a great asset to our expanding company.”

Peter said: “I’m delighted to have joined such a friendly and professional team.

“They deliver an incredible mix of interesting projects and take great pride in their work. I am looking forward to contributing to Gipping’s future growth. ”

: : One of East Anglia’s youngest head chefs, Jon Gay, is set to join Jimmy’s Farm at Wherstead, near Ipswich.

He is known for working with the best ingredients from the region and aims to develop the restaurant and shop into a culinary centre of excellence.

The award-winning chef was highly commended in Norfolk’s Food and Drink Awards in 2013, and was crowned Norfolk Young Chef of the Future in 2008.

He says he will be making the most of the opportunity to source ingredients from the 100-acre farm surrounding the restaurant.

“The farm is renowned for the quality of its produce, particularly the meat which has an exceptionally good flavour,” he said.

“All the animals are rare breeds which are slower to mature and have been ethically reared. The pigs live outdoors where they are free to root and forage. Visitors to the farm can see what a contented, stress free life they have.

“The farm already uses fresh produce from its own garden and local suppliers but I will also be looking for artisan food producers; bakers, cheese makers, fish suppliers, creators of the best ice cream and foragers that stand out from the crowd and are not available through regular restaurant and farm shop suppliers.

“I want everyone who eats from the Jimmy’s Farm restaurant menu to be so delighted with their meal that they go straight to the farm shop to buy something similar to take home with them.”

Farm owner Jimmy Doherty said: “Jon has a huge following for his imaginative, inspirational cooking.

“We have worked together on cookery demonstrations during farm events so I know that not only is he a prestigious chef, he is also fun to be with. I can’t wait to have him on board.”

: : A solicitor with Essex law firm Birkett Long has become one of a handful of lawyers in the region who are part of a prestigious legal organisation.

Partner Amanda Smallcombe, who works in the firm’s Colchester office, specialises in contested probate and will disputes and recently became a full member of the Association of Contentious Probate and Trusts Specialists (ACTAPS).

Many people who come to see Amanda want to contest a will because it is “unfair” but she says: “If people want to contest a will there are certain legal requirements they must satisfy to prove that it is invalid.

“When someone contests a will there is also the emotional cost, too, because not only are they dealing with the death of a loved one but they are often warring with family members.”

Amanda is the second solicitor from Birkett Long to become a member of ACTAPS with the firm’s managing partner, Adrian Livesley, being is a member of the organisation too.

Membership of the body is tightly managed and applicants have to meet strict criteria. Amanda had to pass the ACTAPS Diploma before being accepted as a full member.

She said: “ACTAPS provides a forum for other experts like me to exchange know how, experience and how the law is interpreted in this specialist subject.

“Belonging to this organisation is a real asset and can only serve to benefit our clients.”

Birkett Long has offices in Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon.

: : Sales and marketing assistant Kate Dennehy of Bury St Edmunds-based occupational health and case management firm RehabWorks is celebrating after achieving a professional qualification.

Kate, 30, has been awarded her Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Certificate, after an 18-month period of study.

The qualification process includes a variety of written assignments, as well as final exams.

Kate, who has been with RehabWorks since 2010, was supported by the business in completing the study programme and will now put her learning to use across the organisation’s current marketing strategy around new business and client retention.

“I’m so pleased to have completed the qualification,” she said.