A former music teacher is singing the praises of apprenticeshop schemes after signing up to a new career with Essex ingredients firm EDME.
Tom Price, 29, of Boxford, spent seven years as a music teacher before changing paths after applying for a role with the finance department at EDME, which is based at Mistley, Manningtree.
“After graduating with a degree in songwriting and music production, I followed the teaching path for a number of years. I set up The Suffolk Rock School during the summer where I would raise money for charity by hosting a gig at the end of term,” he said.
“Teaching was great in many ways, but I kept on finding myself being pulled towards the financial side of what I was doing. It was those underlying factors which helped me to decide that accountancy was the direction for me.
“Due to the contrast in careers, an apprenticeship was the way forward for getting the experience necessary to continue down the new route. I saw that EDME celebrated the achievements of their apprentices from their involvement in National Apprenticeship Week – so was keen to be a part of the company.
“What’s great about doing this apprenticeship with EDME is that I get to apply some of my acquired skills from my previous job to the role but also learn a lot more from a knowledgeable team. In the long term this is a great personal investment.”
Tom is getting an insight into what makes the company tick by supporting in roles involving invoices and payment runs – all with guidance from the finance team. Alongside working in the office, he is undertaking a level 3 AAT at Chelmsford First Intuition.
“By working with our established teams, apprentices like Tom get to learn from other experienced colleagues and are quickly given the chance to put into practice the skills they are acquiring,” said EDMe finance and commercial director Stephen Johnson.
“With the right aptitudes and attitudes from them and the right training from us, talented apprentices can quickly become crucial members of the team. Tom is well on the way to achieving this.”
A Suffolk brewery has set out to increase its brand’s visibility in London with the appointment of a new salesperson.
Daniel Lucas joins the national sales team at St Peter’s, which his based at St Peter South Elmham, Bungay, with the key objective of boosting the brand in London.
He will be aiming to increase the number of pubs selling its range of ales, stouts and IPAs, as well as its alcohol-free beer, and will be working hard to promote its range of bottled and cask beers.
“This is an exciting step for us as it’s the first time we’ve focused specifically on building more of a pub network in London,” said chief executive Steve Magnall.
“We want to increase the number of independent pubs selling our beers in both the bottle and on tap and raise the visibility of the St Peter’s brand. We’re sure Daniel will create many new opportunities for us and help put the brand on the map in the capital.”
East of England law firm Birketts has promoted 23 of its most talented lawyers across its four offices.
They include Ipswich-based Philippa Dyer (corporate criminal defence, senior associate), graduate legal executive Sam Froud (commercial property, associate), barrister Matthew Gowen (corporate criminal defence, legal director), Sarah Smith (commercial property, associate), Emma Tubb (corporate/commercial, associate) and chartered legal executive Rachel Watson (residential conveyancing, associate)
Chief executive Jonathan Agar said: “To support our growth we continue to focus on attracting and retaining first class solicitors. In total we have promoted 23 lawyers across our four offices as we look to recognise the talent that we have within the firm. Coupled with this talent is an unrelenting commitment to deliver consistently outstanding service to our clients, whether they are based within our immediate region, nationally or overseas.”
Cambridge Epigenetix (CEGX), a pioneer in the development and application of epigenetic technologies, has appointed diagnostic experts Hayden Jeffreys as chief operating officer and Dr Joanne Mason as vice president (VP) of Biomarker Discovery.
Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence.
Hayden is a senior level executive with 20 years of experience in the clinical diagnostics industry with specialisation in the molecular diagnostic and blood bank fields. Previous appointments include interim chief executive at Erba Diagnostics Inc, and head of corporate business development and strategy for Erba Mannheim and Lumora. He has also held senior positions at Lab21 and Gen-Probe.
Joanne has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and sits on the MHRA Genomics for Diagnosis Forum, UK NEQAS for molecular genetics DNA extraction steering committee and Genomics England sequencing advisory board.
She was director of sequencing and sample acquisition for Genomics England, where she managed sample collection and sequencing for the 100,000 Genomes Project.
CEGX chief executive Jason Mellad said: “The ability to attract such high-calibre talent is further validation of CEGX’s disruptive technologies. The experience that both Hayden and Joanne have in the diagnostics field will help us to deliver upon our strategy of developing the next generation of diagnostics.”
Hayden said: “It’s exciting to see the potential of epigenetics-based diagnostics, particularly with regard to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). CEGX have a proprietary, disruptive discovery platform that it is utilising for in-house diagnostic assay development and as such, the Company is uniquely placed to capitalise on the potential of an underexploited and fundamental area of molecular medicine.”
Joanne said: “I look forward to applying the experience I have gained in setting up and managing large-scale clinical and discovery projects, such as the 100,000 Genomes Project to oversee CEGX’s high-throughput facility and help harness the power of 5hmC in biomarker discovery, and its translation into clinical diagnostics.”
Tiptree building contractor T J Evers has promoted Simon Cooper from senior quantity surveyor to associate director.
Simon has been with the firm for 11 years, starting out as an assistant in the surveying department and working his way up to become a senior quantity surveyor.
He attended Anglia Ruskin University, where he was sponsored by the firm and became a project surveyor shortly after graduation. During his time with the company, he has frequently been recognised by clients for his sound financial management of contracts.
The firm said the move underlined its commitment to promote from within.
Essex Employment and Skills Board (ESB) has appointed Adam Jones as its new chair. He takes over from outgoing chair, Suzanne Jude, who has stepped down from the post after more than four years.
Adam is head of talent at Chelmsford-based technology firm Teledyne e2v, part of the Teledyne Corporation, which employs around 1000 people. Adam is responsible for recruitment, training and people development including the Teledyne e2v apprentice scheme which has been running for more than 60 years.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with such a wide variety of people in organisations across Essex to deliver growth and opportunit Teledyne e2v ies for local people and employers,” he said.
“At Teledyne e2v, as in other businesses of all sized in all sectors across the county, the challenge is the same. Our people are our competitive advantage and it is vital we attract people with the skills we need and develop those we currently employ. At the ESB, we will bring people together to ensure we do this.
Suzanne said: “I congratulate Adam on his appointment as chair to succeed me. His passion for education and skills means I am confident that he will be an excellent chair who will help to ensure that the ESB continues to go from strength to strength. I believe it is a first class appointment.”
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Skills, Infrastructure The ESB is a strategic, employer-led board that also has local authority partners, including Essex County Council, and aims to ensure Essex has the skills the county needs to grow and prosper.
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