n THE Eastern Enterprise Hub (EEHub), the social enterprise responsible for nurturing entrepreneurship in the East of England, has announced a new communications appointment. Brigit Parker joins the team at the EEHub as marketing and communications manager from Choose Suffolk, where she was responsible for marketing and for the Visit Suffolk brand.

In her new role, Brigit will be responsible for developing the marketing and communications strategy for the EEHub and for delivery of marketing and PR activities for the hub and for its core work streams of the School for Social Entrepreneurs, which is about to extend its programmes into Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, Enterprise Superstars, The Enterprise Academy and the 5th Floor Business Club, a unique networking club connecting business leaders with enterprise hub students.

The role will cover on and off-line marketing for the EEHub and its work programmes as well as stakeholder communications and PR.

Brigit is a member of the Institute of Marketing and brings 20 years’ experience to the EEHub in a career that has included marketing and communication roles with some of the area’s best known brands such as Archant Suffolk, East of England Co-op, Trinity Park and the Suffolk Show.

Welcoming Brigit to the team, Celia Hodson, chief executive of the Eastern Enterprise Hub said: “This appointment reflects the growth in the EEHub’s momentum since opening in November 2010.

“In our first year we have successfully established the School For Social Entrepreneurs in Suffolk and our first cohort of students will graduate soon and we are well on the way our recruiting our next group of amazing students.

“Fantastic new opportunities lie ahead as we will be working with partners to establish the Enterprise Academy and the 5th Floor Business Club.

“Brigit’s experience in establishing a strong brand will be very important for the EEHub and all its constituent parts.”

n GARY Tofts, compliance manager for Monthind Limited, is continuing to evolve the company’s culture of health and safety after receiving a celebrated qualification from one of the world’s leading training and advisory bodies.

The British Safety Council awarded Gary a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Occupational Health and Safety Practice at a motivational ceremony in London’s HQS Wellington.

He was presented with his NVQ award and his experience will prove invaluable in controlling risks in a work-place environment. To gain the qualification, candidates must provide evidence of knowledge to an agreed standard, and show they are able to demonstrate best practice.

This process is continually assessed using a portfolio of evidence and observations by an independent assessor. In 2006/2007 36 million working days were lost though work-related ill health and work-place injury.

Congratulating Gary, Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: “The importance of learning as many skills as possible to promote health and safety cannot be underestimated. Gary Tofts will now be able to put his theoretical knowledge into practice for the benefit of others.”

n LAURA Harrington-Rutterford has joined the partnership of Attwells Solicitors LLP as a member.

Laura joins Nick Attwell (business and employment partner), Will Oakes (dispute resolution partner) and Lisa Draper (property and family partner) in a team growing and recruiting from its offices based in Ipswich, Suffolk and St Johns Wood North London.

Laura Harrington-Rutterford grew up and went to school in Ipswich and with her husband Stuart is actively involved in a wide range of community-based activities.

Laura has worked as a solicitor with Nick and the team at Attwells Solicitors since its inception.

She has developed a strong following in the areas of property, private client and tax planning matters. Laura has a particular expertise in the legal disciplines of lease extensions, wills and probate and Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax planning.

Laura is also responsible for the firm’s continued drive in its IT and e-commerce agenda.

Nick Attwell managing partner at Attwells said: “Laura has already made a massive contribution to Attwells’ growth and I am sure this will continue.

“I am extremely proud of the leadership team and staff at Attwells’ who provide their clients’ with a different legal experience, a fixed fee promise and a commitment to free initial advice for the local Suffolk community.”

n Lucy Aldous, 21, a Cambridge Classics graduate, has taken up the position of PR executive at Southwold-based creative marketing agency Spring.

Having graduated from Cambridge in June with an upper second in classics, Lucy has returned to Suffolk to begin work at the Southwold agency.

Managing director Erika Clegg said: “Lucy is exactly the calibre of person Spring loves to employ and I’m thrilled to have her with us. She’s super-bright – what’s more she organised the May Ball at Clare college, and anyone who knows the university will know quite how large an undertaking that is. We’re excited about Lucy’s potential.”

Aldous said: “I am very excited to get started on the wide range of projects happening at Spring. There’s a lot to learn all at once, it’s like starting at Cambridge all over again and I can’t wait to get stuck in.’