Larking Gowen senior manager Andrew Burwood has been appointed as a partner specialising in GP practices at the East Anglian accountancy firm.

Andrew, who qualified as a chartered certified accountant in 2000, has been working with GP practices for more than 17 years.

He is well-known for his pro-active advice and personal approach and joined the firm in October 2015.

He is an active supporter of local business groups and a former chairman of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) Norwich Members’ Network and Norwich No 1 Round Table. He remains an active Tabler and is the current treasurer, as well as a keen supporter of Norwich City. “I am very proud to be appointed as a partner of the firm,” he said.

“Our medical team has been serving GP practices and partners across East Anglia for many years and was strengthened significantly following the merger with Hubbard Lloyd in October 2014.

“I have personally specialised in medical accounting for over 17 years and I am looking forward to helping my clients deal with the significant challenges of operating in an ever-changing NHS environment.”

Managing partner Jon Woolston said they were “delighted” to appoint him.

“He has an excellent reputation for his work with GP practices and the NHS, and his expertise brings real value to our clients in this sector.”

:: Ipswich-based property developer, The Churchmanor Estates Company plc, has appointed chartered surveyor Paul Watson as senior development manager.

He joins Churchmanor from the real asset management team at the Royal Bank of Scotland, prior to which he worked for global property services firm Jones Lang LaSalle.

In his new role, Paul will be focusing on managing the current pipeline of Churchmanor development projects and seeking new opportunities to expand the existing portfolio in the East of England. He is relocating from London to Suffolk to take up the new role.

Paul said: “I am very much looking forward to the next phase of my career at Churchmanor. The company has played a leading role in commercial development in the eastern region for some 30 years and I look forward to supporting the future growth of the company.”

Managing director Stephen Clark said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Paul to our established development, investment and project management teams. He brings considerable property development experience which will help us as we continue to work on major development projects in the East of England.”

The firm was established in 1985 and its notable developments include Chesterford Research Park in Cambridge, Chelmsford Business Park and Colchester Business Park. Current projects include an extension to Suffolk Business Park near Bury St Edmunds and Gershwin Park in Witham.

:: The Ipswich office of financial and business advisers Grant Thornton has welcomed back a familiar face to further strengthen its expanding corporate finance team.

Tim Hansell first joined the firm in 2006 and spent more than six years as corporate finance director, drawing on his extensive advisery skills set to help dynamic, growth focused businesses across Suffolk and the wider eastern region, to build and, as appropriate, realise shareholder value.

He returns following a three year break working at director level for another national firm based in Cambridge, where he advised on deals for a broad portfolio of companies.

Tim will now focus his expertise on advising the entrepreneurial sector, working with ambitious companies to help realise their growth potential. He will also help to further drive Grant Thornton’s market leading corporate finance presence across the region.

Tim Hansell said: “Grant Thornton’s business is very much concentrated on the entrepreneurial space, working with growth focused firms of all sizes. It’s an exciting world to operate in and it is a real privilege to be able to work with agile, dynamic businesses to help them achieve their strategic objectives. The firm has a speed and agility to its operations which is hard to match and a collaborative approach which gets the best out of its people and in turn, delivers the best results for clients.

“It’s great to be back. Grant Thornton is committed to working with local businesses to help create a vibrant, thriving economy and I’m looking forward to playing a part in that journey.”

Tim’s previous experience includes nine years working in investment banking at a global financial advisory group based in Leeds. He trained as a chartered accountant with a national firm in London, qualifying in 1996.

Grant Thornton partner Darren Bear who heads the firm’s central and east corporate finance team, added: “We are delighted to welcome Tim back to the team; his experience and skills were always a huge asset to our advisory offering.

“Last year saw a significant upturn in activity and proved a bumper 12 months for the team in terms of deals closed both in the UK and overseas. As 2016 progresses, there are no signs of this buoyant momentum slowing and Tim will undoubtedly play a key role in the firm’s own growth plans as we continue to expand our services.”

:: Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, which is based in Victoria Road South in Chelmsford, has promoted Kerry Norman to partner.

Kerry joined RSM in 2003 as an audit manager, and over the years has worked with clients in a wide variety of sectors including media, technology, construction and manufacturing, with many operating on an international scale.

Her appointment is one of 19 RSM partner promotions across the UK, reflecting the firm’s recent growth.

Last year, RSM announced a 26% rise in UK annual revenues to £292million, while profits of RSM UK Group LLP rose by 39% to £45m.

Richard White, RSM’s Chelmsford office managing partner said: “It is important to us that we continue to recognise talented and ambitious individuals within our firm and help them grow their careers.

“I am delighted that we are able to help Kerry in the next important stage in her career, and I am sure that she will play an even more significant role in helping our local clients grow their businesses profitably, both in the UK and beyond.”

:: Paul Simon has joined Suffolk Chamber of Commerce as its marketing and communications lead. Paul has more than 30 years’ experience in the communications business, including most recently as corporate manager – communications for Babergh and Mid Suffolk district councils. Prior to that he held posts at News International and Independent Newspapers.

John Dugmore, chief executive: “The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce believes that excellent communications is essential in helping our over 1,400 members, town chambers and the very many other growth and skills partnerships with which we are involved to reach their maximum potential.

“Paul’s appointment shows our commitment to recruiting skilled and experienced professionals in all areas of our operations”.

:: Leah Groves, head of the healthcare team at Essex law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood (FJG), has been made a partner as of April 1 this year.

Previously a partner at Abrahams Dresden LLP in London, Leah came to FJG in July 2015 to establish the dentistry and healthcare team. With over a decade of experience acting for the profession, Leah has an in-depth understanding of the professional and commercial requirements of dentists and provides excellent service.

“I am delighted to become a partner at FJG. Having been with the firm for a short time, it is extremely satisfying to reach partnership level and I look forward to continuing to assist clients and to help the firm grow in the future,” she said.

Managing partner Paula Fowler said: “Since joining the firm, Leah has consistently strived to make her mark, an approach which is now paying dividends. She is well respected by clients and introducers alike which has allowed her to take the specialism to the next level via her long standing relationships. We look forward to the continued impact that Leah will bring to the firm over the coming years.”

Fisher Jones Greenwood is also celebrating two internal promotions with the appointment of two new associates, Paula Bland and Amy Herring. Paula joined the firm in 1985 as an office junior and is now a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives working in the conveyancing team, while Amy has progressed from paralegal in 2010 to qualifying as a solicitor in 2014. She is now a valued member of the wills and probate team.

“I am thrilled to announce these new appointments which are richly deserved,” said Paula Fowler. “Over her 31 year tenure Paula has shown extreme dedication to the firm and to the local community. Amy has similarly worked tirelessly within the wills and probate team and has built up a new client base in Chelmsford.”

As well as being hard earned, these two promotions are also a testament to the support and encouragement that we endeavour to provide to all our staff throughout their chosen careers with FJG. It is fantastic to be able to reward internal staff progression and I am sure that Paula and Amy will now go on to make even more significant contributions over the next few years”.