Regional law firm Birketts has announced the appointment of 13 new trainee solicitors across its four offices in the East of England.

East Anglian Daily Times: Louise Trail, head of sales Persimmon Homes Essex Picture: PERSIMMON HOMES ESSEXLouise Trail, head of sales Persimmon Homes Essex Picture: PERSIMMON HOMES ESSEX (Image: Persimmon Homes Essex)

The trainees have joined across six departments at the firm.

Jonathan Agar, chief executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome this year’s trainees to the firm. Birketts continues to grow at pace but it is essential that our trainee recruitment programme lays a strong foundation for our future.”

With the firm having recently reported record turnover of £47.85m, moved to new headquarters in Ipswich and passed the milestone of 600 staff “the future looks very bright,” added Mr Agar.

Shaun Savory, human resources director at Birketts, added: “Birketts operates structured graduate recruitment and trainee training programmes. Our overall aim is to give our trainees an ideal opportunity to develop their legal skills with high quality work and to find the practice area that best them.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Marina Glasgow, Acas Picture: JON ADKINMarina Glasgow, Acas Picture: JON ADKIN (Image: Jon Adkin)

Joining the commercial property team are trainees Andrea Bailiss, Georgia Butterworth, Joshua Jaworski, April Lyon, Charlotte Simpson and James Stocker.

Georgina Everett-Beecham joins the corporate criminal defence team, Helen Galer the employment team while Laura Herbert, Robert Mackay and Catherine Moss have joined the corporate team.

Georgina Mauger will move into private client advisory and Xiaguang Ni into construction.

East Anglian Daily Times: From left, Marie Griffiths, David Morton, Fraser Bond, Bradley Simpson & Dennie Leach of PMS celebrating their exam success Picture: PMSFrom left, Marie Griffiths, David Morton, Fraser Bond, Bradley Simpson & Dennie Leach of PMS celebrating their exam success Picture: PMS (Image: PMS)

An Ipswich businesswoman has joined a UK housebuilder as head of sales.

Louise Trail joined Persimmon Homes Essex from competitor Bloor Homes. The mother of one brings more than 12 years’ experience in the construction industry with her, having started her property career as a sales adviser.

She will be based at the Essex head office in Witham.

Louise said she is hugely excited by the challenge of heading the department.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jane Sutton, Realise Futures Picture: REALISE FUTURESJane Sutton, Realise Futures Picture: REALISE FUTURES (Image: Realise Futures)

Acas has appointed a new director for the East of England.

Marina Glasgow, who will be based at Mildenhall, has worked for the mediation body in a number of roles across the region for 17 years, helping to resolve employment tribunal claims as well as dealing with more complex disputes involving trade unions.

Marina, who has carried out training courses inNorfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, said she was looking forward to her new role.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sally Farrow, Larking Gowen Picture: SYLVAINE POITAUSally Farrow, Larking Gowen Picture: SYLVAINE POITAU (Image: Sylvaine Poitau)

Staff at Colchester-based PMS Managing Estates are celebrating exam success.

Fraser Bond, Dennie Leach and Bradley Simpson have become senior property managers after passing their Members’ exam with the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM).

Senior legal assistant Marie Griffiths has passed the Associate level exam with the IRPM along with another member of staff. Director of property management Liam Furr said: “These are exciting times at PMS.”

Ipswich-based social enterprise Realise Futures has promoted Jane Sutton to business systems director.

Jane was previously business systems and compliance manager, protecting and promoting the company’s brand and taking the strategic lead in various areas.

Jane started her career in at Fisons Horticulture in a PR role, before joining Suffolk County Council in 2003 where she worked in a variety of roles in the learning and development team, including information and events.

East Anglian accountancy firm Larking Gowen has welcomed personal tax specialist Sally Farrow as head of its personal tax team.

Sally, who is a chartered tax adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, originally trained with the firm, and now returns as senior tax manager, after a number of years with a national accountancy firm.

“We’re delighted to have Sally working with us again,” said firm’s partner Richard Proctor.