Two newly-qualified solicitors are celebrating after Essex law firm Birkett Long hired them following their successful training period.

Law firms are not obliged to offer trainee solicitors contracts, but John Fawcett, and newly-married Stephanie Newman (née Bussell), who joined the firm two years ago have been offered jobs as fully fledged solicitors.

Stephanie will continue to work with the firm’s commercial and corporate finance team and John will be working with the dispute resolution team.

John, 29, from Ramsey near Harwich, will focus on dispute resolution. “As a newly qualified solicitor I bring definite advantages, a lower hourly charge, which may be highly relevant where matters are cost-sensitive, and a fresh perspective on clients’ issues,” he said.

: : Stockbroking and investment management firm Redmayne-Bentley has announced the addition of two new stockbrokers to its ranks.

Jeremy Charles and Philip Rossi have joined the firm’s Bury St Edmunds branch.

Jeremy will be heavily involved in strengthening the branch’s managed portfolio offering. His move to the branch is the latest position in a long career in fund and securities management, including more than 20 years of managing portfolio capital.

Jeremy’s background includes roles at Lincoln National, Shell Trust Bermuda Ltd, Shell Pensions Aviva, and Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

Philip Rossi comes from a background working in the discretionary management and financial planning environment. As well as providing execution-only and advisory services, he will be looking to develop local intermediary business.

His interest in the stock market developed during his time at Southampton University, from which he graduated with an honours degree in politics and economics in 2009. After teaching in London and Bury St Edmunds, he moved on to Churchgate Accountants, where he began in trust work before moving into portfolio management.

: : Five new staff have joined the Ipswich office of financial and business advisers Grant Thornton as part of the firm’s pioneering, inclusive training programme.

Bethany Nicholas, Amelia James, Adrienne White, James Weir and Pandora Tucker all have joined the scheme which gives candidates the opportunity to work towards professional accounting qualifications while gaining valuable on-the-job experience alongside members of the firm’s expert team.

In 2013, Grant Thornton became one of the first major professional firms to drop school exam and degree results as requirements for new recruits to focus on individuals’ talents, values and potential. Throughout the programme all trainees undergo expert internal and external training and from the outset are fully supported to work with clients across a variety of sectors to grow their knowledge and apply learning.

: : Bury St Edmunds-based facilities management firm Servest has appointed Steve Appleton as its new group facilities management (FM) sales director.

Steve will be instrumental in further developing Servest Group’s FM strategy and driving the next phase of growth within the sector.

He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in senior sales roles at a number of well known FM companies including Compass Group and GSH. Most recently Appleton worked at ISS Technical Services, where he was responsible for leading the strategic direction of the company as sales and marketing director.

The accomplished sales director joined Servest because of its reputation for delivering a broad range of services across a wide variety of sectors, and for its strong growth track record.

: : Scrutton Bland has appointed Gavin Birchall as tax director to bring increased specialism to the firm in property and land-based tax issues. Gavin has fourteen years experience as a solicitor advising landowners and businesses on a range of tax issues, particularly in relation to property transactions and business succession, and is an active member of the Stamp Taxes Practitioners Group. Tax partner Jason Fayers commented: “Gavin is a welcome addition to the firm and strengthens Scrutton Bland’s expertise in land-based tax matters.”