n FAMILY-owned marketing and research company Mackman Group has taken on another new member of staff, reflecting a big increase in demand for public relations (PR) services from its clients.

Ross Bentley comes to Mackman, which has offices in Suffolk and Essex, from a journalistic career spanning 15 years, having reported on both national and local newspapers, as well as trade publications and websites.

Since moving to Suffolk six years ago, he has pursued a freelance copy writing career, including working for Mackman on a freelance basis.

“Ross is a great interviewer with a distinct and personal style,” said company director, Paul Mackman.

“His background means he has a good nose for a story combined with accomplished writing expertise – skills he now uses to help clients with their press relations and copy requirements. We’re delighted to welcome him on board as the third member of our busy PR team.”

The company says it has had a surge in inquiries about PR services from a range of clients including many local organisations and businesses.

“Ross is the right person to complement our staff and has settled in straight away, already securing some good media coverage for some of our local clients,” said Mr Mackman

n A HIGHLY-knowledgeable agriculturalist, with practical farm management experience at the highest level, has joined the AtlasFram Group as group business manager, a newly-created post within the UK’s largest farmer-owned farm inputs purchasing and combinable crops marketing business.

Ashley Gilman will be actively involved in helping existing AtlasFram members to add value to their businesses and reduce their exposure to risk at a time of high market volatility, further improving the scope and level of member benefits provided by the long-established forward-thinking co-operative, as well as promoting the advantages of the group to farmers, suppliers and the wider agricultural industry.

Brought up in a large farming family in the North West of England, Ashley attended Wye College from 1992 to 1995 and subsequently worked for a diverse farming business in the South East, where he gained extensive experience of the livestock, poultry and arable sectors.

Having set his sights on a career in large-scale farm management, Ashley went on to study for an MSc in Advanced Farm Management at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and while he was there spent two weeks on a placement with Richard Williamson, farms director (south west) for Velcourt Group plc, Europe’s leading farming company.

Ashley said: “I quickly recognised just how strong the AtlasFram Group is, how well it embodies the co-operative ethos and the enormous benefits which it provides for members in terms of adding value to their businesses.

“Having been directly involved in many sectors of the agricultural industry I have the knowledge and experience to support and advise Members, understand what they want from their cooperative and will work hard to deliver that for them. I am looking forward to the challenge and working with the team at Framlingham.”

n MARILYN Martin, regional managing partner for PKF (UK) LLP in East Anglia, has gained two more professional qualifications.

She has satisfied the requirements set by the Institute of Chartered Accountants to become an Accredited Forensic Accountant and Accredited Expert Witness.

Solicitors dealing in, for example, personal injury and matrimonial work can be assured by this accreditation in an unregulated area.

Marilyn and senior manager, Chris Ginn have also both completed the familiarisation course run by Resolution for Joint Financial Experts in Collaborative Law. Collaboration is an alternative to the adversarial divorce process, to avoid going to court which can be a harrowing experience not only for the parties involved, but also more where there are children involved.

n HOUSEHOLD cleaning specialist Jeyes has appointed a former president of PepsiCo Europe, Nish Kankiwala, as chairman.

Mr Kankiwala, 53, joined Jeyes, which has its manufacturing base in Thetford and its head office in Cambridge, on June 1. He is currently chairman of baby goods manufacturer Mayborn and baby foods company Plum Foods, both private equity-backed firms.

Bernard Daymon, chief executive at, Jeyes Group said: “We are all delighted that Nish is joining us; he has a tremendous track record in building global brands.

“He will be a great inspiration to the team that’s implementing our strategy for growth of our global brand and customer portfolio, focusing on cleaning and freshening spaces and places, he added.”

Mr Kankiwala said: “Under Bernard’s leadership, Jeyes is experiencing a rapid and exciting period of transformation through customer-inspired innovation; I’m delighted to join him and his energised team at this exciting time. I look forward to adding my FMCG, global brand and private equity experience to the Board and the shareholders as we develop the next stage of Jeyes’ long-term plans”.

Mr Kankiwala has been the chief executive officer of Mayborn Group Limited since July 2006 and chairman since March 2010, leading the public to private acquisition of the Group, supported by 3i plc.

He was the president of Burger King International between 2003 and 2005, overseeing operations in key markets outside North America. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at PepsiCo Beverages International, latterly as the president of the Europe and Africa Business Unit. Earlier he spent 15 years with Unilever in roles around the world. He has a degree in chemical engineering from University College, London.

n IPSWICH-based independent digital marketing agency Crafted Media has appointed Zo� Dean as search account manager.

Zo� joins from Ipswich-based 20:20 Media, where she was primarily account director for the Oxfam GB digital account. Managing a team running digital media campaigns across PPC, social media and display advertising for Oxfam, Zo� was responsible for client strategy and development.

During her five-year stint at 20:20 Media, Zo� also worked on a range of digital media campaigns for Swinton Insurance, AXA Insurance, Monarch Airlines, Budget Car Rental and AA Business Services.

With her strong background in account management, Zo� will be working across a broad spectrum of Crafted Media’s clients, account managing search campaigns across all major search engines.

She is a fully qualified member of the Institute of Professional Advertisers with an Advanced Certificate in Communications Planning.

“It was a big step leaving 20:20 Media, but I was attracted to Crafted Media because they are a growing agency with a terrific work ethos and a diverse client base,” she said.

“The fact that the role is brand new to the team is also very exciting, providing me with the challenge I crave.”

n Colchester-based business software firm Access UK’s head of human resources has been recognised at a top industry awards ceremony.

Jo Sims was named “Rising Star” at the HR Excellence Awards at a glitzy ceremony held at the Park Lane Hilton in London.

The award recognises the achievements and progress Jo has made in her short time in a human resources role.

The judges said: “While not having a traditional background in HR management, Jo Sims has imprinted her personality and enthusiasm on the role, single-handedly creating an HR department within her company and aligning it to the vision of the business.”

Jo has been working in HR with Access since 2007 and during that times she has been involved with; implementing the current HR function including an HR software system, major restructuring of the organisation, promoting staff engagement and being the HR lead on the recent management buyout.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It’s an award for everybody at Access and all the people I work with.

“Together we make Access a great place to work, and their commitment enables me to do my job to a high standard,” she said.

“To be recognised amongst such distinguished company is such an achievement,” said Jo.