Movers & Shakers: Cathryn James appointed MD of Norse Commercial Services subsidiaries Waveney Norse and Suffolk Coastal Services (SCS)

Prior to joining Norse, Cathryn spent a year as part of the De Lage Landen sponsored team in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, covering 40,000 miles of ocean on a full circumnavigation of the globe. During the year she held positions as chief of staff, watch leader, navigator and crew member.

Before this challenge of a lifetime Cathryn spent 10 years as strategic director with West Oxfordshire District Council.

“These are exciting times for Waveney Norse and SCS,” said Cathryn. “I am relishing the challenges and opportunities that my new role presents. Norse is widely recognised as a dynamic group in both public and private sector partnerships and I will be looking to grow our companies’ presence in the region.”

Managing director Peter Hawes said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cathryn as a member of our senior management team. Her experience with strategic and operational projects and services is a perfect fit with the future plans at Waveney Norse and SCS.

“Having worked extensively within district, borough and county council environments Cathryn has the knowledge and skills required by Norse as we continue to grow our portfolio of joint ventures with local authorities.”

: : SWEDISH bank Handelsbanken has appointed Andrew Pike to manage its branch in Ipswich.

With a 28 year background in banking and firm roots in the community, Andrew will lead an established team of experienced bankers, responsible for meeting the individual needs of a growing range of customers in and around Ipswich. The branch, opened in 2010 and located in Russell Street, has already developed a reputation for traditional banking, financial strength and high standards within the local business and professional services community.

Andrew said: “I am delighted to be joining Handelsbanken and I am really looking forward to serving the Ipswich community. The whole team here is committed to introducing our unique local relationship banking approach to more and more businesses and individuals in the area. We are experienced bankers with the power to make the decisions that matter to our customers, swiftly and sensibly here in the local branch.”

Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has over 750 branches in 24 countries.

: : SUFFOLK-based law firm, Margary + Miller Solicitors has appointed Josephine Hayes as a family solicitor.

Stephen Leach, senior partner at the firm, which has offices in Southwold, Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Melton, said: “I can announce that Josephine Hayes has joined our team to provide our clients with family law support, advice and assistance.

“Bringing a wealth of experience to our team, Josie’s introduction to our firm offers expert knowledge in a range of family law matters, including; divorce, financial settlements, injunctive relief, child contact/residence/maintenance issues and change of name deeds. Following her introduction, Josephine has already become a valued asset to our firm.”

Josephine previously worked for a large specialist family and criminal defence law firm and has six years’ qualified experience in family law in the local area.

Within this time she has established an excellent reputation and built strong relationships with local courts, barristers, local authorities and CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service) officers. A member of Resolution, a national organisation of Family Lawyers and professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes, Josephine follows a code of practice that ensures that family law disputes are managed in a constructive and non-confrontational manner.

“My objective within the firm is to ensure that family law advice is accessible to those who need assistance as I am a firm believer that legal help should be available to everyone,” she said.

: : SUDBURY-based mobility scooter specialist TGA Mobility has appointed Rachel Elding as its new independent living retail manager and to enhance its support of the local community.

Rachel has taken on the exciting and demanding role of TGA retail development manager following four years as landlady of The Barnardiston Arms in Kedington.

During her time as licensee, Rachel was very proactive in developing a strong community spirit in the surrounding area and intends to continue this ethos in her new position.

Even though new to the mobility sector, she will be combining her superb customer facing skills at TGA with 10 years of retail management experience that previously included working for leading brands such as Sainsbury’s and Superdrug.

“As the tenancy was coming to an end on the pub, I decided to start looking for a new challenge but with a similar focus on supporting the local community,” she said.

“As I personally have several family members who need mobility equipment to maintain independence, I am already familiar with the remarkable difference quality mobility products can make especially those TGA branded. Running the pub was pretty much a 24/7 job so I am used to hard work and therefore this busy position is right up my street.”

National sales manager Tim Ross said Rachel was already proving to be a valuable asset to TGA.

“As she agrees with our ethos regarding valuing and supporting the local community, Rachel fits into the TGA team perfectly,” he said.

Outside of TGA, Rachel is a busy mother and enjoys spending time with her two boys, Jacob aged four and Harry aged four months. When she finds spare time, which is limited these days due to work and family commitments, Rachel will always return back to the The Barnardiston Arms to catch up with the locals and to hear the latest community news.

: : SOUTHWOLD communications agency Spring has strengthened its offer through the appointment of Jessica Topham as community engagement director.

Jessica, joining from Consense, has eight years’ experience in planning and managing community consultation campaigns for a range of high profile projects including renewable energy developments and property schemes. She will be instrumental in growing Spring’s community engagement offering, which currently includes campaigns for clients including EDF Energy.

Jessica said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Spring and I look forward to bolstering the reputation the team has very quickly established for creative and engaging consultation campaigns, such as their excellent work on Sizewell C.”

Co-founder Erika Clegg said: “Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge to Spring. We’re excited to see our business grow as localism continues to be pivotal to any successful development project.

“Jessica’s planning PR experience, coupled with our creativity and vision, enables us to provide innovative community and stakeholder consultation services. This will benefit a variety of clients including green energy companies, house builders and utilities - in fact, any organisation that is seeking to engage people in change.”

Jessica will be charged with developing new business for Spring, as well as planning and running effective community engagement campaigns.

: : IPSWICH-based integrated marketing agency, 2Cs Communications has welcomed a new junior designer to its expanding team of marketing specialists.

Charlotte White will spend the coming months working with the company’s existing team of creatives to develop marketing materials for a range of local and national clients.

Charlotte, who attended Northgate Sixth Form and secured qualifications in graphic design and photography, already has two years of agency experience and is looking forward to growing her role within the business.

Director Julia Grant said: “We are thrilled to have Charlotte join our team, she’s only been with us a matter of weeks and we have already been blown away by her level of technical knowledge and creative flair.

“Charlotte is one of a growing number of young people who are forgoing university in favour of genuine workspace experience and is living proof that with the right skills and guidance you can mould a successful career in the marketing industry.”