Web design firm Infotex has expanded its design and marketing teams with the appointment of Nina Christensen and Louise Henry.

Nina Christensen has been appointed as digital marketing services manager at the firm, which is based at Melton, near Woodbridge.

Nina began her career with search company Cheeze in 2004. Since then she has worked for Notcutts, launching its ecommerce offering, and with local agency Condiment as a project manager.

Combining her knowledge of search with her exceptional planning skills, Nina will be responsible for delivering a raft of marketing projects for clients such as Crown Worldwide as well as looking for opportunities to grow the team further.

The firm has been keen to grow its own talent and Louise is the latest intern to be taken on as a permanent employee.

She joins the design team as junior web designer. Louise graduated in design studies from Kingston University before taking on a six week internship with Infotex.

: : Bob Weston, chairman and managing director of Essex-based Weston Homes, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Technology by Anglia Ruskin University.

Bob received his award for services to the local building industry during a graduation ceremony at Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus.

After learning his trade in the building industry through a variety of roles at Fairview Homes, Bob set up his own business, Weston Homes, based at Takeley, nera Bishop’s Stortford, in 1987 in a room above his own garage at home.

From its first project, a four-bedroomed detached house in Essex, Weston Homes has expanded into Cambridgeshire and the Home Counties, and is behind high-rise developments in London’s Docklands and Battersea, as well as business centres at Stansted and Colchester.

It remains an independent, family-run business.

Professor Michael Thorne, Anglia Ruskin’s Vice Chancellor, said: “Anyone who drives along the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester cannot fail to notice Weston Homes Community Stadium, home to Colchester United Football Club and a strong indicator of the impression Bob Weston has made in the area. However, the company’s impact extends considerably further across the South East of England.

“Bob has a wealth of expertise in engineering and construction, business management and business growth and will serve as a wonderful inspiration to the Engineering and Built Environment students graduating alongside him.”

: : East Anglian builders’ merchant Collier & Catchpole has recruited Jasper Smathers as branch manager of its Ipswich yard.

Jasper, who was born and brought up in Ipswich, is delighted to return to the town after spending the last seven years with Kent Blaxill in Colchester and Bury St Edmunds. Jasper’s long career as a builders’ merchant started with a Saturday job while studying fine art at Suffolk College. On leaving, he started full time as a yard foreman at Hall & Co, then working his way up as in various roles including sales, transport manager, assistant manager before becoming a branch manager for both national and independent merchants.

“I feel as if I have come home,” he said. “Not only am I back in Ipswich but I am very excited about the opportunity to play a key role as Collier & Catchpole shifts from being known as a specialist civils merchant to achieve greater recognition as a general merchant.”

Managing director Tim Rowbottom said: “We are recruiting with an eye to the future and believe that Jasper, with his experience, energy and enthusiasm is a perfect addition to the team.”

Jasper is taking over from another Ipswich man, Roger Tricker. Like Jasper, Roger started with Hall & Co straight from school and has substantial experience working for both independent and national players. Roger joined Collier & Catchpole in 2006 and will continue to work with the organisation in the new role of purchasing manager based in Colchester. A train enthusiast, Roger will miss the Ipswich yard’s close proximity to the railway line but is looking forward to the strategic post which will see him working more closely with suppliers to improve the product offering across both branches.

: : The growing team at Colchester web design company WDL has expanded even further to welcome a new self-taught website developer.

Stuart Fosker, 27, has joined the 13-strong staff at the East Street firm as a front end developer after working on websites in his spare time for seven years.

“The internet has always been a real passion of mine and I just learnt as I went along – there was a lot of trial and error. Eventually I was spending six nights a week building websites as a freelancer, after I’d worked from 9am to 5pm in my day job in sales and marketing,” he said.

“My role with WDL is my first professional venture into the industry – I was attracted to the company because they’ve got a great reputation locally.

“I’m really enjoying the job and want to be the best at what I do. There’s a huge amount of satisfaction in seeing results instantly and knowing that you’ve made something work.”

Stuart, a former St Helena School pupil, is a Colchester United fan and has a son and two stepsons.

WDL managing director Elliot Smith said Stuart is already proving to be a real asset to the team.

“We were struck by his passion for web development and his commitment to improving his skills and knowledge of the industry. We’ve no doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him with WDL,” he said.

“We’re extremely pleased that we’ve ridden out the economic storm of the last few years and are at a point where we’re expanding on a regular basis. This is down to our talented and dedicated team providing an excellent level of service for our clients.”

: : Paul Whittaker, director, UK regulation at National Grid plc, has been appointed to the board of Anglian Water Services.

Chairman Sir Adrian Montague said: “Paul’s appointment, from an exemplary shortlist of candidates, further strengthens our board and brings considerable relevant experience, including of regulated industries and competition.

“In increasing to four the number of independent non-executive directors on our board, we have equal numbers of executive and independent non-executive directors, which underlines our commitment to high standards of corporate governance.

“Paul’s expertise and experience will add considerable value to the independent scrutiny of our business.”

Paul said he was “delighted” to be joining the company, which is based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, at a time of significant change in the industry, and as AWS prepares to submit its next five-year business plan to Ofwat.

“I look forward to bringing my independent voice to the board, together with my experience of customer-focussed regulated industries, to help maintain Anglian Water’s performance as a leading customer service business in the UK,” he said.

: : Accountancy practice Miller Wash has appointed Kerrie Tibble as an accountant.

Kerrie is part ACCA qualified and spent six years working in an accountancy practice before working for 11 years as the finance controller for an out of hours primary care provider.

She will be working alongside Cara Miller and Colin Wash who started the Ipswich-based business in March 2012.

Cara, The EADT’s current Young Businessperson of the Year, said: “It is wonderful news that Kerrie is joining the team. She is friendly and confident with a lot of experience and is very capable.

“Her role will be mostly client work and will include an element of office management which will enable Colin and I to focus more attention on growing and developing the business.”

Kerrie said: “I am so excited to be returning to practice and especially at one so prestigious as Miller Wash. Whilst my primary task will be assisting Cara and Colin keep on top of their rapid growth, this comes with an added bonus of two fantastic mentors. Who could ask for more?”

: : Chelmsford-based hi-tech firm e2v has appointed Stephen Blair as chief executive. He will join during the first quarter of 2014.

He brings a wealth of international experience across both established and high growth emerging markets, in strategic planning and portfolio development, and has a proven track record in driving growth.

He is currently business group director for Spectris plc and from January has been the executive board member responsible for the in-line instrumentation and industrial controls segments.

Prior to joining Spectris, he was at Invensys plc, where his last position was president.

Chairman Neil Johnson said: “The Board is delighted to have recruited a leader of Steve’s high calibre to e2v. He brings great energy and hugely relevant experience gained at technology businesses serving some of the world’s largest companies in a wide range of end markets, and I very much look forward to working closely with him to release and develop the Company’s potential.”

Stephen said: “I am excited to be joining e2v. I have followed the company’s evolution over the years as a respected technology business, well known for its longstanding customer relationships. Building on this platform, I will be working with Neil to develop the future strategy and to drive sales growth internationally.”