Five new business advisers have joined New Anglia Growth Hub to cope with increasing demand from firms to use its free business support service.

The hub, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, was set up in 2014 to provide a single point of contact for business owners seeking free face-to-face advice. Since then, it has worked with more than 6,000 businesses and provided more than 28,000 hours of support.

Nigel Best, who has been appointed as growth hub manager, said: “Having worked with hundreds of businesses, I appreciate how tough and lonely it can be out there and sometimes you need some independent guidance. The Growth Hub is a fantastic resource. You get access to the combined knowledge and experience of the team and the service is completely free.”

Samantha Jones, who is one of the new recruits said: “It’s so exciting to join this established and successful team. There are so many talented and creative business people across the East and the best part about this job is sitting down with them and hearing about their plans for growth and expansion.”

The Government has committed to providing local businesses with support through the Growth Hub Network.

Business, energy and industrial strategy minister and local growth champion Jo Johnson, said: “As the Local Growth Champion for New Anglia, it’s great to hear the Growth Hub has already helped 6,000 businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk. With five new business advisers on board, I encourage local businesses to explore the support available.”

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which manages the team of behalf of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “The growth of the team is testament to both the continued success of the hub but also the increasing demands from businesses to speak to an adviser face-to-face. 79% of companies come back for more support, so we’ve decided to expand to meet this ever-increasing demand.”

•Colchester-based care firm Care UK has appointed Kerry White to lead the services at two of the nine NHS treatment centres it manages on behalf of the NHS.

The services, at the North East London HNS Treatment Centre in Ilford and the Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre in Gillingham, provide secondary care to people across East Anglia and the South, with specialisms including orthopaedics, general surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, urology and endoscopy.

After qualifying as a nurse in 2001 at Kingston University, Kerry, 37, went on to develop her nursing skills at King Edward VII, UCLH and the Princess Royal Hospital, before taking on roles such as patient services manager and service manager.

She has held senior management positions including theatre efficiency project management and general manager – elective and emergency surgery – at the South London Healthcare NHS Trust, before becoming associate director of operation and then divisional director of planned care at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.

Andy Lunt, Care UK’s managing director of secondary care, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kerry to the team. Her commitment to excellence and her interest in theatre safety and efficiency makes her the ideal person to take both centres forward during one of the most exciting times in secondary care.”

•Law firm Ashtons Legal has welcomed Sameena Manzar to the family team at its Bury St Edmunds office.

Sameena trained and worked at the London, Essex and Surrey offices of a multi-office law firm.

Before starting training, she was called to the bar (Middle Temple) in 2010 and worked as a court advocate attending the county court in and around the London area.

Sameena specialises in family law which includes all aspects of relationship breakdown, divorce and financial issues, children matters, domestic violence issues, nuptial agreements and cohabitation issues.

She is a member of Resolution, Young Resolution and Middle Temple Young Barristers Association.

•Andrew Scripps and Paul Abbott of Ipswich have become carpentry apprentice masters for Bloor’s Eastern region.

The national housebuilder has an apprentice master programme and has taken on a team of carpentry apprentice masters to prepare its new recruits for a career in the construction industry.

The privately-owned developer now has dedicated carpentry apprentice masters in each of its seven regions across the country.

It follows the successful introduction of bricklaying apprentice masters to the company’s growing apprenticeship programme, which now has 86 apprentices on its books.

Andrew and Paul have worked as self-employed carpenters on Bloor sites for the past 28 years.

Andrew, 54, said: “There is a shortage of skilled carpenters so programmes like this are so important. Having dedicated apprentice masters is a great idea. It means we can constantly monitor the progress of the apprentices and ensure they are learning correctly.”

Paul, 52, said: “It’s a real privilege to be one of the first apprentice masters for the Eastern region. We have got four fantastic apprentices and it’s a pleasure to be able to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of carpenters.”

Among the apprentices learning their trade under Andrew and Paul is 19-year-old Adam Overett from Ipswich.

He said: “I enjoy working outside and being hands on and the apprenticeship is going really well. It’s great having Andrew and Paul there to ask for advice.”

Other apprentices include Joe Frost, 18, from Chelmondiston, Ben Coe, 18, from Ipswich, and Jack Knights, 16, from Ipswich.

•East Anglian law firm Prettys is welcoming solicitor Graeme Burslem to the commercial property team at its Ipswich office and residential conveyancer Maureen Burton, who will support increased demand within the residential property team.

Prettys also welcomes the imminent return of Louise Plant to its personal injury department in April.

The firm recently recruited Zoe Parker to its employment team, Mike Large to contentious property, and Matt Clemence to the family team. Vanessa Bell has returned to the employment team after a year away on maternity leave.

Ian Carr, CEO, Prettys said; “We are delighted with the new appointments already made and those who are joining the team shortly.”

•Property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood has taken on Francis Hunter as new buildings and construction health and safety specialist.

He will advise clients on health and safety best practice and ensuring that all regulations, statutory responsibilities and legislation is being followed as part of the newly-created role.

Francis, who worked in a similar role for a consultancy in Braintree for six years, will work across all five of firm’s offices in Colchester, Norwich, Cambridge, Billericay and London and will be responsible for training Ingleton Wood staff in relation to CDM regulations.

“It’s a very exciting time to be joining Ingleton Wood and I’m really looking forward to using my expertise to help develop and expand this side of the business,” he said.

Partner David Cresswell said: “We’re delighted to have Francis on board. He brings a wealth of experience and will help us to improve our offering for larger, more complex projects, ensuring we continue to provide our clients with the very best service.”