n EMMA Fazakerley has joined Ellisons Solicitors in Colchester as the firm’s first ever marketing manager.

Emma, who has previously worked at Colchester Institute and a London-based PR agency, has an extensive background in PR, marketing and business development.

She said: ‘‘I am delighted to take on this new role at Ellisons Solicitors and to build upon the excellent reputation it already has.

“New legislation within the legal profession will create exciting changes for Ellisons and I look forward to tackling these head on.’’

Guy Longhurst, managing partner, said: ‘‘Emma’s appointment is a very positive step for us.

“These are exciting times for the legal profession and with Emma’s assistance we hope that we can continue to develop our practice and maximise the opportunities that are presented to us. Ellisons is built around our people and I am certain that Emma will contribute significantly to that ethos.’’

n CARE UK has announced the appointment of Maizie Mears-Owen to the new role of head of dementia Care.

Since joining the company in 2008 as a service development manager, Maizie has contributed to the development of Care UK’s dementia strategy by creating an experiential training programme aimed at all colleagues working with Care UK’s 85-home residential care division.

In her new role, Maizie will be responsible for the continued development internally of Care UK’s approach to the care and support of people with dementia in its homes across the country.

Maizie will also be representing Care UK externally as the company seeks to maintain dementia care at the top of the Government’s agenda in terms of funding, care quality and innovation.

She will also oversee a wider roll-out of the unique experiential staff training scheme which she developed and piloted last year.

n HAVING worked closely with local businesses whilst in the corporate division of one of the big four banks over the last seven years, Kevin Ward decided he could do more to help these businesses by becoming an independent consultant.

He is now working closer than ever with local businesses to assist them in maximising their chances of obtaining the funding they need to grow and run their business successfully.

In addition, where a local business decides its would like some further assistance, he brings his extensive experience of having worked with numerous different businesses in various industries to the table.

Through his years of working as a corporate bank manager, he has gained valuable experience of helping businesses with their strategic planning and the implementation of these plans with ongoing monitoring and changes as required.

As well as working closely with businesses across all sectors, he also has specialist knowledge of the motor trade, professional practices and waste recycling sectors.

n The Director of Essex Business School, Professor Michael Sherer, has become a non-executive director of the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

Professor Sherer said: ‘’I am delighted to have joined the board.

“It is a privilege and honour, and on behalf of the university and Essex Business School I look forward to making a contribution and offering our support to the Mercury Theatre’’.

Professor Sherer will bring a wealth of financial and managerial experience to the role and also has a great interest in theatre.

He is a qualified chartered accountant, has been a leading academic for more than three decades and has been director of Essex Business School since it officially opened in 2008.

He is chairman of the board of the Real Circumstance Theatre Company based in Colchester and in a previous role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the university he was responsible for East 15 Acting School.

n One of the UK’s leading advisory firms, Bury St Edmunds based Beckett Asset Management, had announced the appointment of Samantha Owen to the role of associate director, portfolio management.

To recognise the increasing requirement for specialist investment management by Private Clients, Trustees and Employers, Beckett Asset Management said Samantha’s appointment represented its continuing focus and development in this key element of client services.

“Investors need a dedicated, professional and specialist team to manage their investments in accordance with their agreed risk profile and objectives,” said a company spokesman.

n In response to its increasingly busy corporate finance activities, Larking Gowen Corporate Finance Limited has promoted its manager, James Lay, from manager to director.

James, who also recently gained the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Corporate Finance qualification, joined Larking Gowen in 1998.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in 2004 and since then has worked exclusively on corporate finance assignments.

He has responsibility across all the firm’s offices across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, predominantly helping clients buy and sell businesses.