A lawyer and an accountant with more than 60 years’ experience combined have joined forces to help resolve potentially costly disputes.

Anthony Wooding, who has 30 years’ experience of resolving property and commercial disputes, and David King, who has more than 30 years’ experience as an accountant and tax adviser, offer civil and commercial mediation services as part of Albert Square Mediation (ASM) Suffolk, a network with branches as far afield as Brazil.

Anthony, who is the managing partner at Ipswich and Colchester-based Kerseys Solicitors, said: “We co-mediate so that we can offer a mix of legal and financial experience. Those taking part can get the best of both worlds - at no extra expense.”

Anthony, an Oxford graduate, has witnessed a five-fold increase in the use of mediation compared to five years ago as the government encourages settling disputes out of court.

He has worked on a range of issues from the eviction of travellers from private property to competition law.

David, who is the company director of Hadleigh-based accountancy and tax advisory firm Guymer King, has dealt with a range of financial disputes.

The Ipswich Orwell Rotary Club member, who regularly lectures on entrepreneurship at the University of East Anglia, said: “Whereas the court process can drive people further apart, mediation can help salvage relationships.

“Court is about right and wrong and recompense, whereas mediation is about bringing people together to solve an issue.”

David, who is a churchwarden and treasurer to both the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and the Choral Foundation of St Mary-le-Tower church in Ipswich, said mediation began in the church.

He said: “The first mediators were parsons or priests at a time when the church was a sanctuary. The process was about getting people to cooperate. This principle remains the same today.”

•Loyal staff at East Anglia-based construction company R G Carter have been recognised for their commitment to the company at its annual long service awards.

A special lunch was held to celebrate the contribution of seven staff who have retired in the last year having served 45 to 50 years, and 11 employees who have dedicated 25 years of service to the group.

Group chairman Robert Carter thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

“Continuous service is something we value very highly at R G Carter and we are incredibly proud of them all and grateful for their contribution,” he said.

Among those recently retired were brothers Trevor and Ian Goff, who have worked 92 years between them at the company.

Trevor, a site manager, working with R G Carter in Ipswich for 47 years and his brother Ian, a site operative with the group for 45 years, said it had been an honour to have been part of the business for so long.

Ian said: “Over the years, working for R G Carter was like being a part of a large family and was good fun. I was lucky enough to work alongside my brother where we learnt so much from each other and from the many friends we made. It was a pleasure working for such a loyal company and I was stunned by the kind words spoken at the presentation.”

•A Bury St Edmunds rooflight manufacturer has welcomed three new members of staff.

Sunsquare has hired a new technical director, one area sales manager and two internal sales consultants to build on the company’s success.

Clive Howard has been appointed as the company’s new technical director and brings a wealth of technical and business knowledge to the company. Clive will be instrumental in helping to ensure customer satisfaction and innovation in Sunsquare’s product development.

Sean Burrows and Claire Cadge have been employed as internal sales consultants. Both have extensive experience in the construction industry and will be integral to increasing sales in the sector while offering assistance to customers looking for the right daylighting solution for their build.

Chris Chaney, managing director, says: “We are thrilled to welcome the new members to our team to help expand on our success and to assist customers in finding the perfect rooflight solution. These appointments are integral to our growth while boosting Suffolk’s economy in the process.”

•Haverhill based accountant Paul Donno from 1 Accounts Online Ltd is celebrating after he was nominated for an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Professional Member Award and invited to join the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Digital Advisory Panel.

The AAT is the UK’s leading qualification and membership body for vocational accountants with around 140,000 members located in over 90 countries.

The Digital Advisory Panel has been set up in the wake of the Government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative. MTD is one of the biggest reforms the accounting profession has experienced. The AAT Digital Advisory Panel will represent the members of the organisation on the changes to the accounting profession and the AAT in respect of digital practices.

Paul has been an advocate of online accounting for the last five years and set up his accountancy practice in January 2014 to offer clients an alternative to traditional accounting through the provision of cloud based accounting services and fixed fees.

Paul said: “It is a real honour to be invited to join the Panel and I am looking forward to being involved in helping our industry to evolve.”

Paul was also nominated for an AAT Professional Member Award 2017 at the beginning of May. He was shortlisted, along with four other accountants, for the Licensed Member of the Year award. This award recognises a licensed member who has demonstrated outstanding achievements and success over the previous year.

Paul and fellow director, Jenni Donno, will attend the awards ceremony and celebration dinner in Windsor on June 8.

•Nick Jackson, of ATIK Colchester, is celebrating after the UK’s largest operator of bars and clubs crowned him its General Manager of the Year for the East.

The Deltic Group recognised its brightest stars at its annual awards ceremony and celebrated Nick for his outstanding contribution to the High Street venue’s success.

He received his trophy from chief executive Peter Marks at an awards event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Oxfordshire.

Nick said: “The club was transformed this time last year when it was refurbished to become ATIK. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and to receive such recognition is a real bonus. I’m delighted for myself and the team here who most definitely share in this success and recognition. We are proud of our club, its achievements and its reputation as the place to be for a great night out and memorable experiences.”

Regional director Martin Winter added: “This award is really well deserved. Nick plays a key role at ATIK and is a great asset to our business. He is always willing to go the extra mile.”

The Deltic Group employs 3,000 people nationwide across its 59 clubs including brands ATIK, Bar&Beyond, Cameo, Fiction, Kuda, PRYZM, Steinbeck & Shaw and Vinyl.

•Ipswich-based regional law firm Birketts has promoted Bhargav Trivedi to partner.

Bhargav, who joined its commercial property team in 2013, said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed a partner. It’s an exciting time for the firm and I look forward to playing a central role in helping to continue the growth of our commercial property practice.”

Chris Schwer, head of the commercial property team, said: “Bhargav has been an integral part of our successful team for several years and his promotion is richly deserved. He has a wide range of experience, including working on developments for regional and national housebuilders, housing associations and regional development agencies. He also deals with property disposals and acquisitions as well as supporting our corporate team with transactions that have property aspects.”

Chief executive Jonathan Agar said: “I am delighted to welcome Bhargav to the partnership in recognition of the hard work and dedication that he has made towards our success.”

Bhargav is based in Birketts’ Norwich office but supports colleagues across Birketts’ four offices at Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich.