Movers & Shakers: Harry Young of Aldeburgh Music takes chair at Suffolk Coast DMO

Harry, who is general manager of Aldeburgh Music at Snape Maltings, takes over from Tim Rowan-Robinson of

the TA Hotel Collection, who has been at the helm since the organisation’s launch four years ago.

The Suffolk Coast Ltd DMO is an industry-led, not-for-profit membership organisation, working to boost the visitor economy, develop the tourism infrastructure and support businesses along the Suffolk coast, with a particular focus on improving out of season trade.

Tim, director of The Suffolk Coast DMO said the last year had seen “huge progress” for the Suffolk Coast DMO, with successful marketing campaigns and a £500m grant from the Coastal Communities Funding in 2015.

“The vast majority of businesses on the Suffolk Coast are in some way dependent on tourism. We now have a vehicle to promote the area to the benefit of them all but we need to increase the involvement of businesses by further growing the membership. I am delighted that Harry is taking over as chair and am pleased to be continuing on the board as a director,” he said.

Harry said: “This is a wonderful time to become chair of The Suffolk Coast DMO. Membership continues to rise

impressively, and with support from Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils we have delivered

some very impactful campaigns.

“The most recent campaign which ran throughout July and August, focused on highlighting the wonderful range of attractions, things to see and do, places to stay and eat along the coast from Felixstowe to Lowestoft and delivered 2.6m opportunities to engage with potential visitors.”

He added: “I feel privileged to be asked to lead this dynamic organisation that aims to promote our stunning

destination and member businesses to new and existing markets, particularly during the shoulder

seasons. Now is an excellent time to join.”

::Ipswich Building Society has appointed Richard Norrington as chief executive officer (designate).

Richard will assume the role in December 2016, following the retirement of Paul Winter who has led the business since 2007.

Richard Norrington has extensive leadership experience in the financial services sector, in a career spanning nearly three decades. He spent 16 years with Barclays Bank PLC, and, more recently, 10 years at Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank where as regional director he had responsibility for the East of England area.

Chairman Sarah Evans said: “Following a thorough selection process I am delighted to confirm Richard Norrington’s appointment. Not only has Richard been active in leadership roles within our sector which make him the right fit for this role, but his experience and knowledge of our heartland region will equip him with a solid understanding of our members’ needs.

“We are grateful to Paul Winter, our current Chief Executive Officer, for the tremendous commitment and energy he has shared with all of us. Paul has steered us through a multitude of changes in the sector and helped place the Society on the map as a responsible business, extending pride in our mutual status and commitment to local communities.”

Richard said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside the chairman, Board and colleagues at the Ipswich Building Society to support its members. It will be a priority for me to continue the community focus the society has developed as part of its long history as a mutual.

Paul will continue to fulfil the functions of his role until his departure and during a planned transition period.

::Law firm Ashtons has appointed two new solicitors, Kim King and Bee Belby, at its Ipswich office.

Kim has joined the commercial property team after undertaking her training contract and qualifying at an East Anglian firm. Bee joins the dispute resolution team following roles with firms in Lincolnshire and London.

Kim deals with a broad range of commercial property matters but will also be working alongside Sarah Duncan who joined the firm in 2015 to head up the construction department.

Bee has experience of property acquisition and redevelopment having worked in these areas before entering the legal profession. This has given her a wide experience in general dispute resolution work, from phone hacking and privacy claims, to a sound grasp and special interest in agricultural law.

Partner and head of business law Paul Whittingham said: “Ashtons is going through a period of significant growth and expansion at the moment and Kim and Bee’s appointments are part of the exciting steps we are taking in expanding and developing our regional presence.”

::Suffolk gricultural seed drills maker Claydon Drills has appointed Rob Iddeson as sales development manager.

He will develop sales of hybrid drills, straw harrows, Terrastar and Cambridge Rolls make by the firm, based at Wickhambrook, near Newmarket, He will report to commercial director Spencer Claydon.

Rob joins after six years with the Claas Group, latterly as sales director of Claas Western Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary, and previously as general manager (director) of Southern Harvesters Ltd, where he was responsible for overseeing the entire retail farm machinery business. Prior to that Rob was with Simba International for six years, initially as territory sales manager for the central southern and south east areas of the UK, before being promoted to area sales manager for France.

“This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing UK-based company which manufactures a unique range of products,” said Rob.

Rob, who lives with his wife and their two children near Basingstoke in Hampshire, will divide his time between the Claydon factory, and dealers and customers throughout the UK and in overseas markets.

::Bury St Edmunds marketing communications firm Montage Communications has appointed Benjamin Francis as junior account executive.

The 18-year-old, who attended King Edward VI Upper School, lives in the town.

“It’s super exciting for me to join Montage; an established, local business that is fast growing,” he said.

“The world is becoming an ‘Internet of Things’ and this is something I love. Within this industry I can be at the forefront to learn and implement these developments with our work with leading international and regional brands.”

Co-Founder and director Aime Southgate said: “Investing and nurturing local talent is important to us. Benjamin’s analytical mind and social media knowledge really impressed us. He has come on board at a busy and exciting time.”

She added: “With Ben’s passion for communications trends and developments, I’m confident that he will be a valuable asset to our team.”

::Three young paralegals at an Essex law firm are in training to become solicitors.

Jess Elwell, from Writtle, Rachel Leech, from Chelmsford, who both went to Hylands School, and Molly Frankham, from Colchester, a former Philip Morant student are at Birkett Long, which has offices in Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon.

Molly, 25, first started working at Birkett Long as a secretary after university while Jess, 26, and Rachel, 23, joined as paralegals.

Rachel said: “I was overwhelmed that I got a training contract given the lack of them, especially one with such a good firm.”

Jess, who studied for her legal practice course part-time while working at the firm, said: “I was ecstatic and pleased that all my hard work had finally paid off.”

Molly said she felt: “Happy. Shocked. Emotional. I rang my mum pretty much immediately.”