Haverhill-based advanced surface solutions company Keronite has appointed Steve Montisci to the newly-created role of business development manager.

Steve, who joins Keronite from Magnesium Elektron, will work alongside Keronite’s business development director Neil Watson to drive growth in new markets, in particular magnesium applications for the automotive and aerospace industries.

“I’m pleased to be joining the team at Keronite. Having worked with Keronite as a technology partner for the last few years I’m excited by the growth potential the process offers across a range of applications and industries,” he said.

Chief executive Matt Hamblin said: “The business enjoyed a strong 2015 but we have ambitious plans for the next 12 months. Steve’s appointment is just the first part an on-going investment in the business that will help us meet the demanding but achievable targets we’ve set for the next phase of our growth plan.

“Steve has a great track record in the industry and brings a wealth of experience working in key markets to the role. I’d like to welcome him to the company and I’m looking forward to working with him to drive the business forward.”

Steve, a metallurgist by training, has previously held commercial roles in the aerospace, automotive, defence and medical technology sectors.

Richard Carr has joined Ensors chartered accountants as manager of the corporate services team based in Ipswich.

His career includes more than 26 years as audit manager with East Anglian branches of Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton.

Richard, who has a wealth of financial and commercial expertise and knowledge, specialises in providing owner-managed enterprises and larger corporations with authoritative guidance to help them take their businesses forward.

Ipswich office partner Barry Gostling said: “It’s great to welcome Richard on board.

“He brings with him skills and experience that compliments the existing team very well and will be invaluable as Ensors continues to grow.”

:: Nicholas Evans, director of sales and purchasing at Bury St Edmunds-based Treatt has joined the Suffolk Chamber board.

Nick graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in International Business and Spanish and has worked in the City of London as a commodity trader.

He has travelled the world on business, visiting China and India and, after working for US flavour house Sensient, he joined Treatt.

In his present role, he is responsible for managing the group procurement teams in the UK and USA and leading sales initiatives to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, India and Japan. His wife works as a physiotherapist at West Suffolk hospital and he has two young daughters.

:: Nick Hodgson, head of engineering and health and safety at Sanofi in Haverhill, has also joined the Suffolk Chamber board.

He is a chemical engineer working for Sanofi’s Haverhill operations site where he is responsible for engineering, IT, automation and health, safety and the environment.

He joined the site in 2001 after graduating from Sheffield University. He has worked in engineering, production and health, safety and environment roles during his time at the site. Nick has experience of continuous manufacturing techniques and has been instrumental in the strong record of environmental performance and resource efficiency at the site.

:: Colin Kitchener, who has worked for 10 years in the promotions industry for a well established distributor based in Suffolk, has launched his own promotions company, Integral Promotions Ltd, based at Bildeston.

“My belief that ‘people deal with people’ rather than just look for the cheapest products or those companies that shout loudest, has always stood the test of time and I will continue to offer a friendly personal service that can be trusted,” he said.

“We work with the customer to find the best promotional merchandise suitable for their event, brand or advertising campaign and offer personal visits to their premises to discuss possible requirements.”

Gifts he has produced over the years include acrylic blocks encapsulating F1 racing car gear ratios for a Formula 1 team which were presented to eminent guests in Abu Dhabi, he said.

“Unusual bespoke gifts are always exciting but the majority of products supplied are of a more general nature and considered just as important,” he said.

:: Julie Hoy has joined the commercial property team at law firm Birketts as a senior associate.

“I am delighted to be joining Birketts which has become recognised as a top UK law firm with one of the largest dedicated property teams,” she said.

Chris Schwer, partner and head of Birketts’ property division, said: “Julie is a fantastic addition to the team. Her experience covers all aspects of commercial property transactions.

“She has acted for a wide variety of public and private sector clients, including housing associations, financial institutions and property developers. She has also advised both landlords and tenants, those disposing or acquiring land, banks and corporate clients advising on the property aspects of corporate acquisitions and disposals and on the refinancing and securitisation of larger commercial and residential property portfolios.”

Julie is based at the firm’s Ipswich office but also supports colleagues across Birketts’ offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Norwich.