Amanda Nunn has been appointed Confederation of British Industry (CBI) East of England assistant director. She will be responsible for all the business lobby group’s member companies in the region, engaging with and representing business leaders on key policy and regulatory issues affecting the East of England.

Amanda joins the CBI from a career in business development and marketing, most recently in the legal sector.

Richard Tunnicliffe, director of CBI East of England, said: “I look forward to working closely with Amanda to promote further the interests of CBI members in the East of England

“Her knowledge of the region’s business community, alongside her exceptional experience, will prove invaluable in supporting businesses across the region.”

Amanda Nunn said: “I’m delighted to be joining the CBI and taking on this role at such a critical juncture for the British economy. We’re heading down the road to recovery, but there are still bumps ahead that could knock us off course.

“My focus will be on creating the right business environment to build confidence and boost investment in the East of England.

“Our region has a vibrant and diverse business community with so much to offer, so I’ll be working hard to make sure that Westminster is fully aware of our economic strengths and where improvements to policy and legislation could create the jobs of the future.”

: : Lindsey Johnson, 41, from Leeds has been appointed vice principal - curriculum and quality at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds.

Lindsey said: “I am delighted to be joining such a friendly and passionate team at West Suffolk College.

“There are significant changes ahead for education but I am committed to making sure the college can continue to meet the changing needs of our society, whether that’s helping young people get the training they need for employment, adults who want to change careers or employers who want to upskill their staff to stay competitive.

“We will continue to provide high quality learning opportunities which enable people to improve their lives and contribute to the local economy.”

Richard Carter, chairman of governors at West Suffolk College, said: “Lindsey impressed the interview panel with her grasp of the requirements of the role and her full analysis of our curriculum and quality needs. There is no doubt that she has energy and drive, as I’m sure everyone who met her during the interview process will have recognised.

“She is very ambitious for students – their interests clearly lie at the heart of what drives her – and for colleagues in their development towards becoming outstanding. Lindsey began her Further Education career as a lecturer and currently still does some teaching. There is no doubting her passion for it.”

Lindsey has been assistant principal (academic) at Moulton College, Northants, for the past five years, with responsibility for all Moulton College’s curriculum functions, including Higher Education and functional skills, with all heads of faculty reporting to her. She was involved with external stakeholders and managed the college’s vocational offer to schools.

Moulton College has been graded outstanding by OFSTED, with Beacon status and is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for Construction training.

: : A new director has been appointed to the board of Norfolk-based farming co-operative Anglia Farmers (AF).

Robert Alston will bring years of corporate finance experience to his new role as a director with the agricultural purchasing group.

Robert inherited his family farm in Norfolk 15 years ago and has been managing the business while working full time in the City, most recently in corporate finance at Deutsche Bank.

He is now relocating permanently to Norfolk, where he lives with his wife and two young children.

His farming business, Silfield Ltd, crops wheat, barley and oilseed rape across 435ha as well as managing grassland, woodland and the Carleton herd of Red Poll cattle.

He said: “I inherited the family farm, which is a beef, arable and property business, and have been something of a ‘part-time farmer’ as I’ve been working in the City and spending weekends in Norfolk.

“As I have been working outside the industry, I think I come to farming with a very pragmatic, business-focused view. I hope to bring my business management knowledge and financial acumen – particularly regarding working capital and cash flow – to the AF board.”

Robert will sit on the AF board and on the AF business management executive.

: : The director of Ipswich-based construction firm SEH French, Simon Girling, has been appointed vice-chairman of the regional branch of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), in readiness for taking over the chairmanship from May 2014.

Simon has been involved as a member of the Suffolk NFB committee for the past nine years, and took up the role of chairman for Suffolk last year. The latest appointment means that, as of next May, Simon will represent the eastern region on a national level, acting as the spokesman and thought leader for the region’s building and construction industry.

The NFB provides a wide network of resources and business solutions to builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales and a platform for members to air their views, concerns and issues regarding the industry and its regulations.

Simon’s role will be to champion causes of importance to local businesses, and to lobby on policy.

He has been at the helm of SEH French, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, for the last 13 years.

Simon said: “It’s an honour to be elected as chairman of the Eastern NFB. I step into the role as of May next year but will be taking on the role of vice-chair in the meantime. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last year of being at the helm of the Suffolk branch and I look forward to taking that further and acting on behalf of all the regions members, debating the future of construction on a national level.”

: : East Anglian builders’ merchant Collier & Catchpole, which has yards in Ipswich and Colchester, has taken on three apprentices this summer.

Billie Saunders has been working with the team in Colchester since July on a warehouse and storage apprenticeship. The scheme and Billie proved such a success that further apprentices were then sought. Bradley Aldous was recruited for the Ipswich yard and Nadine Gray to work in the Colchester office. Both apprentices started in August.

Collier & Catchpole became more aware of the potential of apprenticeships through its membership of the National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) and the society’s Apprenticeship Youth Enterprise 50 campaign, which was launched as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Supporting the scheme is approved apprentice training providers Didac.

Collier & Catchpole managing director Tim Rowbottom said: “In difficult times it is all too easy to think only about today’s problems and not look to the future. People are an essential part of Collier & Catchpole. Having the right people is key to maintaining the high level of service we provide our customers.

“To ensure we have the right people for the years to come, we need to make that investment now and the scheme is helping us do so. It allows us to recruit enthusiastic, capable youngsters into an industry that offers all sorts of potential.

“The apprentices benefit by gaining valuable experience and training. We benefit by recruiting individuals who will help us to move the business forward in the coming years.”

: : Newly qualified solicitor Holly Sadler has joined the Ipswich-based dispute resolution team at Gotelee Solicitors.

Holly trained with another local firm after she graduated from the University of Essex with a degree in law. She has experience in acting for property owners in various types of property disputes, particularly acting for landlords who have disputes with their tenants in relation to unpaid rent and other breaches of the lease or tenancy. She is also experienced in resolving civil disputes relating to breach of contract, debt recovery and negligence.

Partner and head of dispute resolution Helen Stuart said: “Holly was recruited to take on a growing number of new client queries for property related disputes including neighbour disputes and possession cases where Landlords are finding tenants are falling into arrears. These cases are likely to increase with the recent benefits changes and caps on the level of housing benefit payable. Holly’s background in litigation and property cases generally is ideal for this developing area.”

Holly said: “My clients range from individuals who own just one or two properties, to investors or companies with a wide property portfolio. I also act for individuals and businesses who find themselves in a dispute over an invoice, or goods and services. I give my clients practical advice and aim to resolve their dispute efficiently. I will give a fixed fee for my help and advice wherever it is possible to do so.”