Peter Driver, public relations manager at Ipswich-based commercial mower makers Ransomes Jacobsen, has scooped an international writing award.

The Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA), is a US-based professional body composed of editors, writers and publishers involved in ‘green industry’ communications.

Every year it presents writing awards and from the 27 entries submitted in the international category, Peter won Best Writing (article or editorial) for a feature entitled As Nature Intended.

This editorial feature was an in-depth look at Askernish, a lost golf course in the Outer Hebrides that was rediscovered back in 2006, and was published in Pitchcare magazine last year.

Peter, who lives in Brightlingsea, Essex, has been associated with Ransomes Jacobsen, for more than 20 years, initially as a consultant and then joining the company in 2007.

“I feel highly honoured to receive this award as the judging panel is comprised of my peer group, so it’s editors and journalists acknowledging that my writing is of an acceptable standard,” he said.

“I am very fortunate that my job allows me to visit some of the most spectacular places and countries around the world and then have the opportunity to write about my experiences.

“This particular assignment was fascinating; a golf course consultant heard a rumour that an ‘Old Tom Morris’ golf course was hidden away on the remote island in the Outer Hebrides and he set out to see if it was true and to restore it, if at all possible. Our company became involved and donated equipment to help the islanders maintain the course in its ‘natural’ state. I was lucky enough to visit and write about it.”

Managing director Alan Prickett said: “Peter has worked tirelessly over the years to promote our business and to spread good news about our successes and notable events, along with those of our worldwide dealer network. We have always appreciated the quality of his work, but it’s absolutely terrific to see a prestigious organisation like TOCA recognising it too. The award is well-deserved and we are all delighted for him.”

: : Ashley Thrower has joined Ipswich-based PR firm Trebuchet Creative as a senior designer. He arrives with a wealth of experience having worked for one of London’s top brand design agencies. His experience includes leading a team on the development and launch of the new young driver insurance brand, Woop Cover partnered with TomTom.

Account director Emma Dinmore said: “At Trebuchet we are always looking for creative talent who can produce original ideas and not just follow the latest styles doing the rounds of the big city agencies. Given his age, Ashley has built an impressive portfolio of work allowing him to match the core principals of our agency - delivering creativity.”

Ashley said: “I have strong family connections in Suffolk so when I got the opportunity to join Trebuchet it was a simple decision for me to make. Not only do the team here talk about creativity, they have the confidence to prove it, for example the tantalising butterflies on the office windows in Duke Street have become a bit of a tourist attraction with dozens of people each day stopping to look, some even try to work out the riddles under each butterfly. As far as I know they are only agency to make such a bold statement with their work.”

: : Lowestoft based Apex Roofing has appointed Danny Murphy as senior contracts manager.

Danny has joined the team having gained valuable experience as a branch manager at a roofing company in Hertfordshire. He joins Apex Roofing at a time of rapid ongoing growth. Danny said: “The prospect of joining a company which has developed a very good reputation within the roofing sector in which it operates is really exciting. With my experience and knowledge of the roofing industry I believe that I can help Apex to grow and assist in developing new opportunities for the business.”

Jackie Biswell from Apex Roofing said: “We are thrilled to have Danny joining the team alongside our existing contracts management team. He will be able to add to our first class customer service and joins us at a time of significant growth.”

Apex Roofing is the sister company to Apex Scaffolding, also Lowestoft based.