n ROGER Loomes has joined the claimant personal injury team at solicitors Ashton KCJ’s Felixstowe office. Roger, who has more than 25 years’ experience in personal injury work and is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, is well known within the local legal profession having been at Margary & Miller for more than 20 years.

Felixstowe has also been Roger’s home for almost 20 years and those who do not know him in a professional capacity may be aware of his involvement in his local church and theatrical exploits.

He is currently one of the project leaders for the 2012 Schools & Churches Christmas Charity Music Project “Waiting for Christmas” and has been equally involved in previous similar projects raising money for the charity Tearfund. Roger is a very proud and busy father of four daughters but when time permits may be seen on the local golf course.

Roger said: “I am thrilled to be joining this newly merged firm which has such a great pedigree in personal injury litigation. There are challenging times ahead for the legal profession and especially, in my view, for the smaller firm.”

n A BURY St Edmunds business has boosted its senior management team with the appointment of a new sales director.

Weeting Tyres has recruited Mark Nightingale to drive sales across the centre, alongside the franchises three other centres in Brandon, Ipswich and Chelmsford.

Mark brings a wealth of industry experience to the job after almost 40 years in the tyre trade.

The firm said his expertise would strengthen itse business model and further position the HiQ brand it represents as a “fast fit you can be sure of”.

Mark said: “Having been in the tyre industry for a long time, it’s good to apply my knowledge to a new role.

“My aim is to maximise sales across the four sites and drive business growth.”

n BLOCKS Solicitors has announced the appointment of Demelza Butler. Demelza will be joining the team as a lawyer specialising in family and matrimonial work.

The Ipswich-based firm’s team will be boosted by the arrival of Demelza who brings a wealth of legal experience to the firm.

Originally from Suffolk, Demelza graduated with an honours law degree from Staffordshire University, and The Guildford Law School. After completing her training contract with TMK, a well-known and respected law firm in Essex, Demelza specialised in family and matrimonial work. She is a member of Resolution and has trained as a collaborative lawyer.

Demelza said: “I am delighted to be joining a firm where family and matrimonial law has such a good reputation, and am looking forward to developing its already strong reputation further.”

n SCRUTTON Bland has appointed Andrew Edge as its new financial planning partner.

Sharon Gravener, managing partner of the firm, said: “Our Independent Financial Advisers play an integral role in our overall service proposition to our clients and as a result have grown to be a significant part of our business. We are delighted to have been able to attract someone with Andrew’s credentials and experience.”

Andrew was running a similar financial planning business for a Norfolk-based accountancy practice. He specialises in providing investment, pension and protection planning to personal and corporate clients.

Andrew said: “We are already well positioned to do business post the Retail Distribution Review in 2013 which is likely to cause many IFA’s problems.”

n Exclusive hair and beauty salon, The Retreat Dedham, has expanded its beauty team with the appointment of Marie Manning, 28. Marie specialises in facials and waxing and joins The Retreat from Moors Health and Beauty in Colchester where she was assistant manager.

Owner Anita Dixon said she was delighted to welcome Marie on board.

“We’ve recently launched a range of men’s grooming products and services, and extended our opening hours. Marie will help us deliver these new services and I am sure she will become a valuable asset to The Retreat,” she said.

n Business professional Janine Wright is celebrating passing her Association of Chartered Accountants exam.

Based at the Ipswich office of chartered accountants and business advisers Larking Gowen, Janine specialises on audits, both for small to medium sized businesses and charities.

To celebrate her achievement, Janine and the other successful students from the firm’s offices were invited to lunch by Larking Gowen chairman David Whitehead and human resources executive Julie Best.

Janine said: “I found the exams challenging, though after three years of hard work, I am pleased to have passed. Now, I look forward to continuing my career with Larking Gowen.”

Mr Whitehead said: “I am very proud of all the students at the firm, and am pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate them personally for their efforts.”

Janine lives in Great Blakenham and enjoys socialising with friends in her spare time.

n Isaac Caruana has won the coveted East of England Customer Champion Award 2011 for his outstanding customer service.

Isaac works at LV=’s Ipswich office where he handles car insurance claims. He was nominated for the award by his team leader, Catherine Hill, because he has consistently gone the extra mile for his customers to help get claims resolved quickly.

“He is a valuable team member who is always willing to help his colleagues with their work and give advice and support as needed,” she said.