AN Essex business support organisation has appointed David Burch as its new director of policy.

He will be developing a policy strategy to take account of the challenging economic climate and the emergence of new organisations affecting Essex businessess, such as the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, and work with the Chambers’ Policy Department to get the views of Essex Chambers’ members heard across as much of the county as possible.

Since joining Essex Chambers of Commerce David has been actively involved in lobbying on business issues at local, county and national levels and regularly meets the county’s Members of Parliament at Chamber briefing events in the House of Commons where the key concerns of Essex businesses are voiced.

He will also be working alongside the Chambers’ press and communications team in raising the profile of the organisation across the county’s media outlets.

David said: “I am delighted to be given this new role and to build upon the considerable amount of policy work that the Chambers have already undertaken. One of my key functions will be to ensure that the policy makers and politicians of Essex properly understand the needs of the county’s businesses whether they are a multi national organisation or a sole trader. There are a lot of great businesses in the county and we want to make sure everyone knows that business is good for Essex.”

: : IPSWICH-based integrated digital agency Crafted has appointed Emma Plummer as PR director.

Emma will head up the company’s new offline public relations department, in recognition of the increasing need to combine digital communications with more traditional forms of marketing.

With more than 12 years’ experience in PR, Emma brings with her a raft of clients from her own consultancy, which she ran prior to joining Crafted. In her time at Blue Poppy PR, Emma handled Crafted’s public relations for just under two years.

Emma has worked across a wide range of industry sectors, from technology to finance and environmental to health services and beyond, and has delivered high profile communications for top city law firm Nabarro, Suffolk Criminal Justice Board and international commercial drainage company Environmental Biotec.

Emma’s diverse background makes her ideally placed to handle communications for Crafted’s broad range of clients.

In her role as PR director, she will provide media relations, event management, internal communications, awards submissions, and crisis management services, as well as seeking speaking opportunities for those she represents.

Her appointment forms part of Crafted’s overall growth strategy.

She said: “Having worked within the PR industry for more than a decade, I know that there are very few agencies that are able to seamlessly integrate online and offline PR. That’s why I’m excited to be able to bring something unique to Crafted to strengthen its competitive positioning.”

Commercial director and co-owner Brad Warwick said:“Our clients and potential customers are increasingly recognising the importance of the relationship between digital and offline communications in order to target their customers most effectively. The decision to introduce an offline PR function is in appreciation of this trend, and is in direct response to our clients’ needs. Having worked alongside Emma for almost two years, I have firsthand experience of her successes and am delighted to welcome her to our team.”

: : LLOYDS TSB Commercial Finance has restructured its regional sales teams, appointing three heads for the east, each with responsibility for different business turnover ranges. The move is aimed at giving customers greater access to senior funding professionals.

Roger Brown, regional director, will look after businesses with a turnover of up to �15million. Mark Parsons, sales director, will head up the sales team in the east supporting companies with a turnover between �15m and �100m. The team looking after businesses with a turnover in excess of �100m will be headed by Jon Adams, working as part of a national team targeting this market segment to be led by Nick Elliott, head of sales, high turnover and major corporate markets.

As well as giving clients greater access to senior staff with specialist knowledge of companies of varying sizes, the new structure will enable the bank’s asset-based finance division to work more closely with divisions across the wider banking group to provide funding which most closely fits businesses’ individual requirements and growth strategies.

Managing director Ian Larkin said: “These strategic changes are a positive move, allowing us to increase our focus on origination and support our ambitions to grow the market. They also offer many benefits for our valued customers and introducers.

“By broadening our structure, the East, along with our other regions, will benefit from enlarged teams of senior commercial finance professionals focusing squarely on facilitating the growth of SMEs, mid-market businesses or large corporations.

“Aligning more closely with the structure of the wider banking teams means we will be able to work with our colleagues in Wholesale & Commercial banking to determine the most appropriate source of finance to best suit the needs of each of our customers on an individual basis, supplementing loans and overdrafts with tailored invoice finance and complementary products.”

: : DC Electronics, a manufacturer of custom-built electrical systems for the motorsport industry, has recruited six new members of staff to its Maldon office as a result of increasing orders coupled with its expansion into the US market.

Martin Dewey has been appointed as general manager in the UK office and will help strengthen the management team which already consists of David Cunliffe, Sandra Cunliffe and Simon Astle. Martin takes on the role after previously holding top managerial positions at Warburtons and Cambridge Assessment. His wealth of experience in distribution and manufacturing, coupled with his passion for motor sport, made him the ideal candidate for the role. Martin is also a licensed timekeeper and handicapper for the UK Motor Sports Association in his spare time.

Four new production staff have also joined DC Electronics. Darren Baker and Fred Guynette will be based in the UK while Jon Woods and Jason Shady join the US production team.

DC Electronics is currently in the process of appointing a new general manager for its Mooresville site, who will manage the company’s activities in the US and will work with Erica Dewey who is the new office manager for DCE Inc.

Managing director David Cunlifee said: “We are delighted to be expanding our team in both the UK and US. Over the past year, DC Electronics has gone from strength to strength, with the opening of our US production facility in May, our growth continues worldwide. We are excited about welcoming all our new employees, and look forward to continued success with them on board.”

Products designed and built by the company have been used in championships worldwide, including Formula 1, NASCAR, Indycar, World Rally, Superbike and even F1 Powerboats.