Public relations agency, Genesis PR, has expanded its team with the appointment of a new account executive, Joe Briggs.

Joe, who has relocated to Ipswich from his native Grimsby to take up the role at the firm, based at Holbrook near Ipswich, earned a 2.1 in British Politics and Legislative Studies from the University of Hull.

Previously, he worked on parliamentary magazine The House and worked as a researcher for a House of Lords peer. Joe has particular experience in social media and its use in promoting businesses.

Joe said: “I am delighted to be appointed by one of the top PR agencies in the region and look forward to be working with a range of clients.”

Director Penny Arbuthnot said: “Joe’s arrival signifies what an exciting time this is for the company. His skills and knowledge add to the depth of talent that we already have, and we’re sure he’ll shine in his new role.”

: : A high performance business coach who for 30 years ran a successful consultancy in London, and who trained with celebrity Paul Mckenna, has opened a Suffolk practice to help company owners and senior management become more successful.

Laura Spicer, whose clients have included chief executives, senior managers, directors, partners and celebrities, helps individuals to succeed in their industry and to become more productive in their fields, especially helping business men and women to excel in public speaking.

Laura moved from London to Suffolk to live with her new partner, Nicolas, and has opened her consultancy in Bury St Edmunds within the last few weeks.

She has employed colleagues to assist her with her new consultancy, including a secretary, IT support staff, a photographer and marketing team.

Laura, who also offers a mobile service across the county seeing clients at their businesses or home, said: “I have been working with corporate clients and individuals for the last 30 years helping them to become more skillful, effective and happy with their lives, performance and behaviours.

“Over the years I have assisted hundreds of people to clear their blocks. I particularly specialise in all matters to do with oral communication, public speaking, confidence, charisma and fluency. My method for helping those who stammer or stutter become more fluent has become well known for its effectiveness.

“I am passionate about helping business people and individuals to get more of the results they want and to tap into their true potential.

“People have travelled to see me from all over the globe, and whether you want to polish your communication skill, or maximise your potential at work, typically in just one or two sessions, I can assist you to achieve your goals.”

Laura Spicer, who now lives in Wattisfield, held consultancy clinics in Harley Street, London and Kew, Surrey and holds qualifications including High Performance Coach and Master Business Practitioner. She is also the only designated Trainer of Sound Communications for the Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

: : Rose Builders of Lawford, near Manningtree, has promoted Sam Brown, Alan Burdon, Jason Franklin and Paul Shanks to associate director level.

Sam and Alan are heading the new housing team which recently completed a scheme at Rushmere St Andrew, near Ipswich, and are about to work on another at Lawford.

Jason and Paul are in charge of the commercial contracting team. They have recently completed fit out projects for Fenn Wright’s offices at Chelmsford and Ipswich together with new projects for Ipswich based Churchmanor Estates.

All four have earned their promotion through excellence, technical knowledge and hard work, working with clients and consultants to deliver excellence of service on a wide variety of project types throughout East Anglia, said the firm.

: : Suffolk social enterprise Realise Futures has appointed Paul Storey as a non-executive director. A new human resources manager, Ramon Garcia, has also joined.

Paul has 17 years’ experience of working in the learning and skills sector in the East of England, and 30 years’ experience in the Armed Forces. He retired earlier this year from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) as head of the area relationship team for the Norfolk and Suffolk.

Ramon has more than 20 years’ experience in HR management, including working for British Aerospace and the engineering group ABB. He has also worked for Realise Futures as a contract and improvement manager. Ramon will be based in the company’s Hitchin, Hertfordshire, office but will be travelling across the region.

Chief executive Sarah Sharlott said she was looking forward to working with them. She said Paul’s interest in supporting former service personnel will be invaluable in Realise Futures’ work helping veterans.

“We are delighted that Paul has agreed to join our board. Not only does he have a genuine commitment to the objectives we at Realise Futures stand for he will also bring a depth of knowledge and skills from several different sectors which will help the company as it moves forwards.

“I am also delighted that Ramon will be heading up our HR service. This role will be increasingly important as we respond to new business opportunities and will support us in ensuring we have a well-trained, well-qualified and a well-supported workforce.”

Mr Storey said he wanted to join the board of Realise Futures because he admired the passion, energy and person-centred commitment of all parts of the business, from his past dealings with the social enterprise, one of the largest in the East of England.

“I have known Realise Futures since its formation, and in my previous job as head of the area team for Norfolk and Suffolk within the SFA, which is the main funding body for the Government for post-18 education and training, as well as for careers and guidance information,” he said.

“I was, and am, a great admirer of Realise Futures in what it does, and the way it works to fulfil the contractual obligations of the agency’s contract. It was always clearly obvious to me that the beneficiaries of funding were at the core of what Realise Futures were trying to do. Now that I have some time on my hands, I wanted to stay involved in the sector of which I have been a part for 17 years.”

Ramon said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed to this new post which will give me an opportunity to combine the skills I developed working in the private sector with the values and principles I believe in and which Realise Futures stands for.”

Realise Futures operates across the East of England employing 440 people, of which 40% are disabled or disadvantaged.

: : Building company Bennett Homes has appointed Wendy Woolnough as home adviser.

Wendy joins the team based at the company’s Nowton headquarters, near Bury St Edmunds, with responsibility for liaising with potential customers on the purchase of their new homes and providing a dedicated service from the first contact through to moving-in day and beyond.

This follows a number of years spent in sales roles at national estate agents and other housing developers, where she has acquired the skills and expertise for her new role.

Sales and marketing manager Dawn Urry said: “We are delighted to welcome Wendy to our team of home advisers and look forward to her contribution to the marketing of our current and future developments.”

: : Baker Tilly has appointed a new accounting and business advisory (ABA) partner to its Chelmsford office.

Dawn Lay-Flurrie, who was previously a partner with Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP in Colchester, has wide ranging business advisory experience, providing proactive and practical advice to clients in the local business community.

Dawn enjoys working closely with clients on issues fundamental to the success of their business. She will be the third new partner in last few months to join the growing team at Baker Tilly in Chelmsford.

Richard White, managing partner in Chelmsford, said: “I am pleased to welcome Dawn to the team here in Chelmsford, she brings with her a wealth of experience in the business advisory field and has a proven expertise in many sectors. Dawn has a broad skill set and has a reputation that is strong in delivery and I am sure new and existing clients will benefit from her joining the team.”