The continued expansion of regional law firm Birketts has seen 13 of its lawyers promoted to associate or senior associate level, with seven of the promotions at its Ipswich office.

The newly-promoted staff cover a wide range of business and consumer legal services, which the firm says signifies not only the depth of talent it has available but also its commitment to the personal and professional development of staff members.

Those promoted to senior associate, along with their area of expertise, include Katie Beaven (family law), Carol Ramsden (rights of way) and Charlotte Wormstone (property litigation), while the newly-promoted associates are Tom Hodges (shipping), Liona Beckham (residential property), Victoria Butcher (commercial property) and Melanie Bonte (shipping).

Chief executive Jonathan Agar said: “The company-wide promotions are an indication of the great strides being made at Birketts.

“During the last year we have focused on attracting and retaining first class lawyers and, though we remain committed to our East Anglian roots – and attract many clients locally – our quality of service enables us to win business nationally and internationally as well.”

Birketts has offices in Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge and Chelmsford.

: : A Sizewell B apprentice is helping students from Northgate Higher School, Ipswich, in their quest to race at Goodwood.

Lewis Bedwell, 24, a fourth year apprentice at Sizewell B, is using his training in mechanical engineering to mentor the group of 11- to 16-year-old pupils from Ipswich in an electric car challenge.

The 15 students, who all have an interest in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, have enrolled on the Greenpower Education Trust’s Formula 24 racing competition which requires students, guided by their teachers and an industry mentor, to design, build and then race an electric car.

With Lewis’s help the students hope to finish the car by July in time to test it against other local schools at the test track at Ford Dunton in Essex. The winning schools for the regional heats will go on to race in the national competition at Goodwood in October 2015.

Lewis, who went to Kesgrave High School before starting his apprenticeship said: “It is great to be part of a practical project which inspires others to study STEM subjects and brings their lessons to life. I am enjoying every minute of my apprenticeship. I spent my first two years studying at HMS Sultan where I learnt the core skills for the job which, when I am not at Sizewell B, I am using to help the students at Northgate High with the electric car project.”

Jim Jenner, design and technology teacher at Northgate, said: “It’s great having Lewis on the team helping the pupils, as it gives them experience of working with someone other than the school staff. It is also really valuable in helping pupils think about their future and what their options are for life after Northgate. His insight has been invaluable.”

The students and teachers involved in the 18 month project give up their own time to work on the car and source the materials. The culmination of the work will be seen when they test the car in January.

: : Construction consultant and previous winner of the East Anglian Daily Times’ Young Businessperson of the Year award, Dayle Bayliss, has been appointed as a board trustee for LionHeart, the benevolent fund arm of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

LionHeart provides a range of services including financial support, health and wellbeing packages and work-related support for global RICS members, candidates and applicants. They are funded through the generosity of past and present RICS members and don’t get any government or other grants.

Dayle said: “The LionHeart teamed joined us for a matrics event and explained all the great work they undertake. Having been made redundant myself, and hearing about the support they offer really struck a chord with me and it was this that led me to want to do more to promote the fantastic work they do. Through the trustee involvement I am able to support the LionHeart team and hopefully help them build on their successes.”

Dayle is an active member of the RICS and currently sits on the UK matrics board and the East of England Board.

: : Land and property firm Robinson & Hall has recently recruited four new employees.

Evie Hodgkin has joine the Ipswich rural property and business department as assistant rural surveyor. Fresh from university, Evie gained some work experience at Robinson & Hall during holidays. She deals with all aspects of rural surveying and is planning on taking her professional exams in 2016.

Natalie Garrish has also joined the Ipswich office as senior town planner. For the past two years Natalie has combined working at a private planning consultancy with studying for an MSc in town planning. She hopes to build on the success of the planning and development department.

The firm’s Bedford office has recruited Sophie Greco as development and agency surveyor and Sophie Bacon as assistant rural surveyor.

Partner Chris Leney said: “Our recent recruits are part of our ongoing expansion to make sure that we can continue to service our increasing client base with the same care and attention to detail as always. With eight departments at Robinson & Hall, each offering a range of services, we aim to provide the best possible advice.”

: : Facilities management firm Servest Group, based at Bury St Edmunds, has appointed Chantal Anabtawi as sales director of security.

She is responsible for the division’s sales functions and aims to progress Servest into one of the top 10 security providers in the UK. She has 13 years’ experience in the security industry and has worked with businesses of all sizes from those with a global presence to SME businesses looking to achieve a national strategic growth plan. She started out working for G4S in the city of London.

“Since I began my career, the security guarding sector has undergone a huge change. The ongoing drive of technology has seen a vast increase in the use of systems and a reduction in guarding hours. To increase value and reduce cost, it is now fundamental to deliver solutions that combine technology and manned guarding,” she said.

“Servest was the perfect move for me. As a progressive, dynamic company, Servest is dedicated to delivering leading-edge solutions. I am delighted to play a key part in a leading team and I am excited about helping Servest achieve top 10 status in the industry.”

Michael Lamoureaux, managing director of security, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chantal Anabtawi to the Servest team.”

: : Colchester-based business travel management firm Gray Dawes has taken on Nick Hasel as head of Channel Islands. In his role he will take responsibility for managing existing Channel Island-based clients with a keen focus on both customer retention and new business development.

Nick, who will split his time between the company’s office in Jersey and its head office in Colchester, has more than 25 years’ experience in the travel industry working with accounts based in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. Nick previously worked as account manager at Midas Travel and before that held account management roles at both BCD Travel and Egencia.

Chief executive Suzanne Cockburn said: “I am delighted to welcome Nick to Gray Dawes and to be working with him again. With his extensive experience I am confident that our accounts in the Channel Islands will enjoy all the knowledge and insight Nick brings.”

: : Isabelle MacLaren has joined Colchester chartered surveyors Whybrow where she will be working with chief executive Ewan Dodds in the agency department.

Ewan said: “We are delighted to welcome Isabelle to the agency department where she has already created a strong rapport with our clientele and we are looking forward to helping her develop her role within our business.”

Whybrow provides property consultancy and advice to national and regional businesses with a focus on the eastern region.