East Anglia-based solicitors Prettys has launched a new real estate team.

The restructured team will be led by partner Peter Blake and will offer a range of services across the property, construction and development sectors.

The firm, which has offices in Ipswich and Chelmsford, said it wants to offer a seamless service to all its clients, whatever their requirements.

Chief executive Ian Carr said: “We have listened to what our clients have said to us and that is, they want to know that they can go to one team of experts to have all their real estate needs dealt with. We have brought together the expertise from our construction group and commercial property team and combined that with our contentious property, regulatory and procurement offerings to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for real estate clients.”

The new team will advise on the full spectrum of issues around the lifecycle of a property from funding, land acquisition and promotion, procurement of project teams and development of a site, while ensuring clients’ interests are adequately protected, value is maximised and risk minimised, through to the management of issues arising with tenants, occupiers, neighbours and regulators by mobilising experts in contentious property, construction and regulation.

“Having all services in one real estate team will create efficiencies in service, optimal communication, ensure client’s needs are met cost effectively and ensure the necessary knowledge of each individual client situation is fully understood, opportunities identified and pitfalls avoided,” said Peter.

“We look forward to serving our great client base and continuing to win ever more clients as a result of our delivery of exceptional client service.”

•Penn Commercial has appointed two new staff to its commercial property team at Fox’s Marina in Ipswich.

Sita Thompson, 28, of Luton, joins as property and marketing administrator.

She has a degree in business from Nottingham Trent University and was most recently been employed in the wine trade, but sees a bright future for herself in commercial property.

Robin Cousins, 27, has joined as trainee negotiator. He comes from a local farming family and maintains close ties with that business.

Robin has had customer support experience with major retailers and was supervisor of a large team before choosing to change direction and move into property.

Vanessa Penn of Penn Commercial said: “We needed extra manpower, and we’re looking forward to getting Sita and Robin involved. They have very diverse and useful skills and we’re sure that they will bring a great deal to our established team.”

•Felixstowe-based Pier PR & Marketing paid interns Abigail Kaines and Georgia Memory have been promoted to permanent team members.

The graduates, who were taken on in the summer, impressed with their hard work and positive attitudes, and have been made account assistants.

Managing director, Kate Bowden Smith said: “We set up the Pier PR internship scheme to nurture local talent and what a success it has been. It was clear from early on we had found some future PR stars.

“I am so proud to have Abigail and Georgia as part of the Pier team. Their enthusiasm and natural talent for PR makes them all a real asset for our clients.”

•Andrew Bullard has joined builders’ merchant, Collier & Catchpole, bringing with him more than 29 years’ timber experience.

Andrew, who started in the timber trade at the age of 19, has worked in brokerage and agency houses, a traditional Suffolk-based timber importer and run an imported timber and fencing business for Icelandic owners.

More recently, he was commercial director for local food organisation Tastes of Anglia.

He has also worked as a consultant for a number of food businesses including a fish wholesaler and a frozen yoghurt producer and has acted as a judge for the Great Taste Awards.

Andrew returns to timber to take on a new challenge at Collier & Catchpole based at the Ipswich yard, which has a new warehouse.

His role will be primarily business development and raising awareness of Collier’s capability to supply timber across Essex and Suffolk.

Managing director Tim Rowbottom said: “With significant on-going investment, particularly to the Ipswich yard, it is a great time for Andrew to join us. “

Andrew has lived in Woodbridge since 1998 with his wife and two children. He is a keen sportsman, and was a talented rugby player, captaining Herts RFC in the county championships 1985-9.

Although he no longer plays, he is a member of Woodbridge Rugby Club. He is also an elder at St Mary’s Church in Woodbridge.

•Peter Cobbold has joined R&D Construction of Walsham Le Willows, near Bury St Edmunds, as commercial director.

Peter, who has worked predominantly for main contractors, was he was excited to be given the opportunity to help develop and grow the firm in line with its strategic vision.

He is keen to use the skills he has developed through his senior roles in blue chip contracting organisations.

“R&D is ideally placed to deal with groundworks, infrastructure & utilities projects throughout the region,” he said.

“I have been extremely impressed with the calibre and mentality of all members of staff since joining the business, and the proactive attitude towards existing and new customers.”

•Ipswich-based law firm Barker Gotelee has appointed Christopher Green as associate and chartered legal executive in the property team.

Christopher brings more than 25 years of experience to Barker Gotelee, having qualified as a legal executive in 1992.

He specialises in development land and will be working on a wide range of matters, from site assembly and subsequent plot sale to promotion agreements, option agreements, overage agreements and conditional contracts.

Head of property Toby Pound said they were “delighted” to welcome him to the team.

The firm recently acquired office space to allow for further growth across all departments.

Senior partner James Skellorn said: “The expansion of our offices at Martlesham Heath is a great investment in our future, providing much needed additional space to accommodate the recent and further anticipated growth in all areas of the firm.”