? Southwold-based brewer and distiller Adnams has appointed Nicky Dulieu to its board as non-executive director, effective from May 1.

Nicky, a highly-experienced businesswoman, has held a number of positions in leading UK retailers, most recently at Hobbs, and before that at Marks & Spencer.

She joined Hobbs as Finance Director in 2006, before taking a wider role as chief operating officer in 2007, and was promoted to chief executive in 2009.

Prior to joining Hobbs, she had a successful career at Marks & Spencer, the FTSE 100 retailer, leading strategic finance initiatives across a broad range of disciplines, including retail operations, property, where she led two ground-breaking transactions, refinancing more than £700million of property assets and HR. Her last role at M&S was finance director of its food division.

In April, she will become a non-executive director of Hobbs, continuing to drive the strategic agenda whilst enabling her to take on further non-executive roles.

Chairman of the Adnams board Jonathan Adnams said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome another high-calibre independent non executive director to the Adnams Board. Nicky will bring a wealth of experience from her finance background in the corporate sector and most recently leading a high quality fashion retailer.”

Nicky said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Adnams board. I have been extremely impressed by the passion and integrity of everyone I have met and look forward to being part of such a strong team.”

? The Suffolk Coalition of Disabled People has appointed a new communications and administration assistant, who aims to raise awareness of the practical support available to those with disabilities.

Sophie Hawkins was born with left hemiplegia – a form of cerebral palsy which means she has a slight paralysis down her left hand side. Her mobility is currently the worst it has ever been, after a procedure to lengthen her Achilles tendon and stabilise her ankle left her with arthritis. But despite the challenges she has faced, Sophie says her disability has never held her back.

“I’ve never let the hemiplegia define me as a person,” said Sophie, 27, who lives in Ipswich. “When I went to college to take a secretarial course, the tutors tried to persuade me to do business studies instead, because they didn’t think I’d be able to type properly. But I’d always wanted to be a secretary so I refused to let them stop me. I’ve since had a number of secretarial jobs and have got a typing speed of 60 words per minute!”

In her new part-time role with the Ipswich-based SCODP, Sophie aims to ensure that other disabled people are aware of the organisation and the advice and support it can offer.

“I’m feeling really empowered and eager to help people in a similar position to me,” she said.

“There is all sorts of help on offer, which I had no idea about until I started my role here. This includes the Government’s Access to Work fund which helps pay for practical support for disabled people in the workplace.”

Coalition chairperson Leah Jordan said that Sophie would bring a wide range of skills to her new role. “She has an impressive administrative background, as well as a passion to ensure that disabled people receive the help that is available to them,” she said. “We’re sure that our members will really benefit from her appointment.”

The Suffolk Coalition of Disabled People is a charity led by disabled people for disabled people which provides a central point of contact for all user-led organisations in Suffolk which help and support people with any disability, impairment or long term health issues.

? The Omar Group, which makes park homes and lodges, has announced the appointment of Clara Baillie-Lane as group marketing manager.

Reporting to group chief executive, Dean Westmoreland, Clara will be responsible for all marketing activity across the brands, which include Brandon-based Omar Park & Leisure Homes, Omar Park Development Services (OPDS) and Wessex Park & Leisure Homes.

Clara joins the team from Allen & Page (manufacturers of animal feed), in Norfolk, having worked there as marketing manager for the past four years.

With experience in a variety of marketing roles across different business sectors prior to this, Clara brings with her a wealth of knowledge in both business to business and consumer marketing. With particular skills in brand management, PR and product development, Clara has vast experience of the full marketing mix spanning over 12 years in marketing.

Clara said: “I am delighted to join the team at the Omar Group, it is an exciting time for the company which presents a lot of new challenges and I look forward to driving the brands through the various marketing channels.”

? Santander Corporate & Commercial has appointed Jason Necker as regional director for the bank’s large corporate division in the Midlands and Anglia region.

Jason will lead a team specialising in working with businesses with an annual turnover of between £50million and £500m across all sectors. The team are based across the bank’s corporate business Ccentres in Birmingham, Nottingham, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, and are responsible for building new customer relationships as the bank looks to expand further into the region.

Jason has been with Santander for 18 months and previously worked within the London large corporate banking team. He previously also worked for RBS as regional director for Corporate Banking in the Midlands, and has 15 years of experience in the region.

Alvaro Romero, managing director for UK Large Corporate Banking, Santander corporate and commercial, said: “I am delighted to announce Jason as Regional Director for our teams in the Midlands & Anglia. Santander Corporate & Commercial has established itself as a major supporter of UK businesses and is committed to building long-lasting relationships with our customers so that we are able to provide tailored support at every stage of their business.

“We are committed to investing in our business in terms of both people and locations, providing dedicated support for our existing customers and new customers alike. Jason is an experienced banker who is committed to supporting local businesses and I wish him every success in his new role.”

? Bury St Edmunds-based Beckett Financial Services has recruited a new account manager to help deal with its employee benefits work. Emma Barker will assist clients with the management of their pension schemes including the current hot topic in the pensions world – pensions auto enrolment.

“Emma spent 15 years as head of the financial services adminstration department at S-Tech Insurance so she is familiar with the processes and procedures required in our industry,” said Nicola Prince, director of employee benefits. “Her experience will be invaluable in implementing auto enrolment for our clients.”

Barker’s experience is backed up with a Certificate in Financial Planning from the Personal Finance Society.

“I’m excited by the prospect of providing an entire pension solution for employers and employees alike,” she said. “Auto enrolment is a great opportunity for employers to engage with their staff.”

? Anya Banham-Pratt has been recruited by furniture removal and storage firm Glasswells to head up its commercial storage.

The family firm, which also owns a furniture retail chain, has a state-of-the-art 67,000sq ft storage and distribution centre, based in Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds.

Anya began her career with Transco and has a background in the operational side. She worked her way up the career ladder to become contract manager and then field operations manager at Nemco Utilities.

Anya believes that potential clients are not fully aware of the different sectors of the company,

“So many people say to me: ‘Oh, I didn’t realise Glasswells did that.’”

Anya’s biggest priority is to get the commercial side of the business known by promoting the breadth of services that Glasswells offers and believes its main selling point will be the bespoke service it offers.

“Glasswells is already a trusted and respected business, so the ground work is already done. It’s just a case of making people aware of the extra services we can offer, which sets us aside from the competition,” she said.

Managing director Paul Glasswell said: “Anya’s experience and knowledge will be vital in promoting the Commercial Storage sector of our business. We are excited to have Anya on board and are keen to see the warehouse full to the rafters with new contracts.”