LEADING estate agents Jackson Stops & Staff has announced that Simon Pott will be joining as a consultant with immediate effect.

Partner Oliver Peacock said: “We are delighted to have made this association with Simon Pott & Co and believe that Simon’s huge experience and property knowledge will be a great benefit to both our business and most importantly our clients. As a past president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Simon is extremely well respected throughout our profession and will be a great asset.”

Simon Pott said: “I am very pleased to be working with Oliver Peacock and his team. As a land agent I act for a number clients with a variety of projects and it is good to have an association with a firm with an excellent reputation in West Suffolk.”

Established in 1910 Jackson-Stops & Staff has offered property services for over a century and the Bury St Edmunds office has recently moved to larger premises at 11 Guildhall Street, strengthening its presence in the town and national network of more than 40 offices, which includes eight in London.

Mr Peacock added: “Our recent move to new larger premises allows us to expand our business and widen the residential sales and lettings services that we can offer our clients.”

ANDY McMahon has been appointed as the new Bury St Edmunds branch manager for independent East Anglian building supplies company Kent Blaxill.

Andy, 34, takes over at the company’s second largest branch, which has 19 members of staff, after six years with the company as a sales representative. He had previously worked with another paint merchant for 11 years, including as a branch manager.

“My new role will be one of consolidation and growing the branch,” said Andy. “I wanted to become a manager again and I am very pleased to have that opportunity here. My first job has been to open a specialist paint counter at the branch, which will improve our service for decorators.”

Simon Blaxill, Kent Blaxill managing director, said: “Andy leads by example and has worked hard in his time with Kent Blaxill, earning respect from customers, suppliers and colleagues at all levels.”

TREVOR Ling has joined the Chelmsford office of Baker Tilly as an associate tax director. He brings a wealth of tax experience from the retail/leisure sector, having spent a successful four year period as head of tax for Luminar Group Holdings plc. His previous positions also include a stand-alone tax manager role at Derwent London Plc.

Stephen Duffety, office managing partner said: “Trevor’s knowledge and experience of working in an in house environment to provide a different approach to the delivery of tax services from the office in Chelmsford. He will also be focusing on developing Baker Tilly’s corporate tax reach in the Essex region.”

Trevor said: “I’m excited to join such an experienced team. I look forward to using the experience that I gained working in-house to help improve the provision of Baker Tilly services to businesses in Chelmsford and across Essex.”

Trevor’s appointment is part of the firm’s efforts to increase its presence in East Anglia. Tom Gallop, Ian Marrow and Ivan Woolgrove have all recently transferred to the firm’s office in Bury St Edmunds.

YOUNG business professionals Lucy Maynard and Holly Golding are celebrating after passing their Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exams (ACCA).

Both are based at the Ipswich office of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, Larking Gowen, and specialise in audits for large organisations.

To mark their achievements they were invited to a celebratory lunch by Larking Gowen Managing Partner, Bob Rose, and were joined by other successful students from the firm’s offices throughout East Anglia.

“It was great to see Lucy and Holly and congratulate them on their hard work. After four and a half years studying for various exams, and passing first time, they are now fully qualified accountants,” said Mr Rose.

“I am very proud of all the students who passed their exams. Staff training and career progression are important values at Larking Gowen, and I look forward to seeing all the students develop with us, and take on more responsibility.”