Movers and Shakers - April 26

Joanne has eight years previous experience of commercial relationship banking with one of the major UK banks, having previously worked with a diverse customer base across East Anglia. Joanna is looking forward to providing a first class and professional service to new clients, which is key to Handelsbanken and central to everything it does.

Joanna said: “It is superb to be part of this close team and I am very enthusiastic about watching the business expand”.

IPSWICH-based independent digital marketing agency Crafted Media has made six new appointments: John Stuchfield, Lewis Mitchell, John Read and Barry Broom, Aprille Matthews and Paul Pearce-Couch.

John Stuchfield is appointed as PPC executive from the John Grose Group, the multi franchise car dealer, where he was responsible for website co-ordination. With his strong background in marketing, John will be working across a broad spectrum of clients; creating and optimising paid search campaigns across all major search engines.

In his role as copywriter, Lewis Mitchell is responsible for researching, writing and making recommendations to develop niche content that appeals to target audiences. He joins the agency from Norwich-based OMG Search, where he was a Strategic Search Consultant.

John Read joins from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), where he worked on implementing the new electricity and gas sign-up process for their websites. With an MSc (Hons) with Distinction in internet systems development and six Microsoft Certified Professional certificates, John is ideally placed as Web Developer.

Barry Broom previously worked for Active Web Solutions and has several years’ experience in the IT industry working for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to global brands including Ford, General Motors and Nissan. With his strong background in ASP.NET development with C#, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, Barry is a welcome addition to the team as Software Developer.

Aprille Matthews left Southwold-based marketing agency Spring to join Crafted Media as project manager. Aprille has worked on a variety of campaigns from digital marketing for Belvoir Fruit Farms to managing event marketing and PR for Harvest at Jimmy’s, Jimmy’s Farm and Property Developers. A qualified project manager, Aprille works well under pressure and is committed to ensuring all jobs are delivered on time and within budget.

With 30 years as a successful journalist and copyrighter running his own editorial and PR consultancy, Image Media East, Paul Pearce-Couch joins as managing editor. Being able to distil complex information is second nature to Paul who has previously held the position of editor-in-chief for White Digital Media and editor with Archant Regional. His broad experience in digital and print information delivery, combined with his PR and marketing experience will undoubtedly prove indispensable.

Commenting on the new appointments, Commercial Director and co-owner of Crafted Media, Brad Warwick, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue expanding our team with our latest recruitment drive.

“In the digital marketing industry, it is essential to remain abreast of best practice and technological advances – the employment of passionate and talented people is essential to achieving this.

AN employee of Franklin Fueling Systems Limited, based in Ipswich, has praised staff at West Suffolk College who helped him achieve management and leadership qualifications in half the usual time.

Paul Warmer, senior warehouse operative at Franklin Fueling Systems Ltd, successfully completed an NVQ3 Level 3 in Management, an NVQ Level 3 in Warehousing Distribution and Storage and an ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) Level 3 Certificate for First Line in Managers, achieving all three qualifications within a period of three years.

He said: “West Suffolk College staff have been very helpful to me over the last three years. Right from the very beginning, they helped me make the right choices and assisted with the funding to make the course affordable.

“Without their help and understanding I would not have attained my qualifications. All the help I received from Linda Dennison, Eric Frost, Karen Wainer and Dee Stallibrass was essential.

“I would advise anyone who wants to achieve qualifications to see West Suffolk College first, as they have been a key factor in my success.”

Tutor Linda Dennison said: “Paul has been an ideal student, showing enthusiasm for the subject areas and a tremendous amount of dedication. He always produced the required work very promptly, and this allowed him to complete the qualifications ahead of schedule.”

MARK Townsend has been promoted to UK sales manager by animal feed specialists, Newmarket-based Ufac-UK.

Mark, who gained his agricultural qualifications at Somerset College of Agriculture, joined Ufac in 2009 as technical adviser for the South West of England and Wales. Following practical experience on dairy farms in the UK and United States, he moved into management and consultancy, gaining the prestigious Consultant’s Consultant Award while at Promar International.

“Ufac, which makes supplements for the dairy, pig, poultry and sheep sectors, has recently seen particular growth in its range of supplements for dairy cows against difficult conditions and Mark’s task will be to continue this,” said Robert Jones, Ufac’s managing director.

STEVE Last has been promoted to the new role of glass department commercial manager at Colchester-headquarters East Anglian building supplies company Kent Blaxill.

Steve, who lives in Maldon, was previously key accounts manager, having worked at Kent Blaxill for 26 years. His promotion is part of a 175,000 investment in revamping Kent Blaxills glass department, which has involved the purchase of a new glass drilling machine and the creation of an extra six jobs.

“I think the glass department here is a sleeping giant,” said Steve.

“There is fantastic expertise and skills in the department and now we are focusing more on sales. In terms of secondary glazing, we will be reducing our lead times to improve our competitive edge.

“We will also be looking to sell more of the specialist items such as coloured glass splashbacks and bespoke shower screens, which are in demand.”

AN ESSEX firm of solicitors has been granted permission to appoint a non-lawyer partner.

Fisher Jones Greenwood has been given permission by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to appoint Peter Carr, their IT Manager as their first non-lawyer partner. There are still very few firms nationwide to be given permission by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to appoint partners who are qualified in other disciplines.

Peter has been with the firm for 10 years and is responsible for the information technology and communications systems of all four offices across Essex and heads up a dedicated in-house team of developers and support staff.

Peter said: “I have been involved with Legal IT since leaving university. I’ve seen it develop and understand the benefits it delivers for both us and our clients.”

Tony Fisher, senior partner at 110-strong Fisher Jones Greenwood, said: “We have always recognised the importance of a reliable and flexible IT infrastructure to the success of the firm.

“Peter’s appointment underlines our commitment to being ahead of the field. He is another important professional appointment for the firm as we gear up as a business to meet the challenges of an increasingly demanding marketplace.”

EAST Anglian healthcare provider Healthcare Homes has announced new appointments at two of its Suffolk based care homes.

Oaklands House, in Southwold, has appointed a new manager with nearly 20 years’ experience in the caring profession.

Dawn Anderson has worked at the home for the last decade, first as carer and then Deputy Manager, before her promotion to manager. Dawn, has worked as a carer since she was 25 and had a previous role at The Gables, Great Yarmouth, another Healthcare Homes residence. Dawn said: “I’m delighted to have been given this role. The residents and staff have been a huge part of my life for ten years so I’m very happy here.”

And the residents of Uvedale Hall in Needham Market have welcomed Amanda Atkins as their new manager.

Amanda, who has worked at the home for 11 years, originally joined as a housekeeper. She has lived in Needham Market all her life and has worked in many other roles at the Coddenham Road home, run by leading East Anglian care provider Healthcare Homes. She said: “I am very excited to be stepping into this role. Uvedale Hall is a very special care home with a wonderful friendly atmosphere and a fantastic team.”