Employee research consultancy The Survey Initiative is expanding its operation by relocating to larger premises and recruiting two new members of staff.

The consultancy, which was established in Frinton-on-Sea in 2006, has created a new base in Wix, Essex.

Diandra Orodan, 23, a recent graduate from the University of Essex with a masters in economics and econometrics, will be supporting the management team by assisting with the day-to-day analytics in her role as research analyst.

Oliver Newton, 31, has joined as an IT researcher/developer from Essex County Council. He will assist the organisation in streamlining its systems and head-up technical support.

Director Gary Cattermole said: “We’ve outgrown our offices and delighted to relocate to our new headquarters in Wix where we’ll be able to further develop our employee research services to our expanding client list.”

Diandra said: “I’m really pleased to join The Survey Initiative team, my academic career focused on detailed analysis and research and I’m very keen on helping the organisation increase its range of services to a widening customer base.”

Oliver said it was a “fantastic opportunity”. “I’m delighted to be joining,” he said.

::Investment management firm JM Finn & Co has appointed Brett Bayliss and Dominic May to the management committee of JM Finn & Co, with effect from January 1.

Dominic takes on the formal role of chief financial officer and will continue to act as head of risk for the firm.

Brett, who is based in the Bury St Edmunds office, will continue in his role as investment director and head of branches, and will provide increased focus and representation for the four regional offices of JM Finn & Co, while continuing to manage his clients’ portfolios.

::Four members of staff at Essex law firm Birkett Long are celebrating after being promoted to associate.

Solicitors Simon Green and Jenny Bruce, legal executive Emma Harper and training manager Lorraine Younger were praised for their diligence by the firm, which has offices in Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon.

Lorraine has been with the firm since 2003, when she started as a secretary. Emma, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Legal Executives, also started with the firm as a secretary. Jenny specialises in inheritance disputes, while Simon has been with the firm for two years.

“It’s really difficult to put into words how I feel as it means so much,” said Emma.

“I’ve been with the firm 16 years now and I’ve come a long way since then. It is great that all your hard work is recognised and that the partners, who make these appointments, have confidence in you.”

::Two years of study have paid off for Colchester-based Shane Ali who has just qualified as a paraplanner with Birkett Long Independent Financial Advisers.

Shane decided on a career in the financial services profession as this would suit his strengths, which include analytical, mathematical and technical research.

“Qualifying was challenging and included passing six exams,” he said.

His next aim is to become a chartered paraplanner, which is equivalent to a degree: “I am currently looking at this course with a view to commencing the qualification in 2017.”

::Ipswich-based law firm Ashtons Legal has appointed solicitor Phoebe Osborne as an asbestos disease specialist. Phoebe will be based at Ashtons’ Cambridge office on Newmarket Road but will work alongside the firm’s well established personal injury teams in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Thetford.

Phoebe qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after training with a regional firm and then worked as a solicitor for a national disease team in Cambridge before joining Ashtons.

As part of the growing team, Phoebe will be focusing on working with the Anglia Asbestos Support Group, a relatively new group which Ashtons have helped to set up with charity Mesothelioma UK. The group meets in Norwich and Bury St Edmunds on a monthly basis and is open to those affected by asbestos, their carers and health care professionals who work with those affected by mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural thickening and asbestos related lung cancer.

Richard Foyster, partner, and head of personal injury, said: “We are delighted to welcome Phoebe to the team and are pleased to be attracting so much specialist talent to the firm. Her recruitment is an important part of our strategy to continue to grow our asbestos services across East Anglia and Phoebe and the team look forward to welcoming new members to the Anglia Asbestos Support Group.”

Phoebe said: “I am very excited to join Ashtons Legal and am looking forward to working with Richard and his team.”

::The Long Melford Swan has appointed Carrie Chipperfield as its first ever rooms manager following a recent expansion and addition of new bedrooms. The Swan, a restaurant with rooms, now has seven bespoke rooms.

Carrie joins the team at Stuart Inns, owners of the Long Melford Swan, after gaining experience as a fundraising and events manager at Banham Zoo, St Elizabeth’s Hospice and Easton Grange Wedding Venue.

“I am delighted to join the team at the Long Melford Swan. Each of our rooms is very individual and we want to make sure that the experience our guests have is unique to them,” she said.

Sales and marketing director Lorna Pissarro said: “Carrie has a fantastic wealth of experience and we hope that all our guests benefit from having someone dedicated to looking after their needs while they are with us.”