CHARTERED accountants and business advisors, Larking Gowen, is continuing its planned expansion with the appointment of a new partner, Luke Morris, at the Ipswich office.

Luke’s primary role will be working to develop further the firm’s corporate presence in Suffolk and Essex alongside Brian Pring, partner in the Ipswich office.

Originally from Lincolnshire, Luke studied at King’s College, Cambridge and qualified as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. For the last few years he has been with Ernst & Young, latterly at their Winnipeg office in Canada where he has been leading large-scale IFRS conversion projects. Whilst working for them he also spent time in Kuwait, having been seconded to the Central Bank of Kuwait where he oversaw the debt re-structuring of a high-profile investment bank.

Commenting on the appointment, Bob Rose, Larking Gowen’s managing partner, said: “We are looking forward to Luke joining us, and his appointment is an important development for the firm, boosting our resources in the south of our regional coverage, as we look to continue expanding the corporate side of our business.”

Luke added: “I am looking forward to joining Larking Gowen and to becoming involved in the business community in Ipswich and the surrounding areas. Having come from Winnipeg, I am looking forward to warmer winters than I have experienced recently!”

Luke and his wife are looking forward to relocating to East Anglia as they have previously spent time here. In his spare time Luke retains a keen interest in popular science and is a member of the Institute of Physics and is also a keen oarsman and bass guitarist.

SUFFOLK based Jarvis, one of the UK’s leading developers of natural cosmetics and botanical extracts, has made two senior promotions as part of the firm’s continued expansion plans.

Gavin Bird has been appointed technical director, having joined Jarvis in 2009 as a formulae scientist. In his new position, Gavin will play an important role in the strategic side of the business whilst maintaining a hands-on presence in the laboratory.

Gavin began his career at The Body Shop in 1994 before moving on to global cosmetics developer Creative Outsourcing Solutions International (COSi) where he held various roles within the development team. He then went on to head the R&D team for one of Europe’s largest contract cosmetics manufacturers.

Jarvis has also promoted Tony Causer who becomes technical manager, providing support to the firm’s manufacturing and filling operations. He will also assist Jarvis’ customer relations team in providing a seamless service from product conception through production to filling and despatch.

Tony’s current projects include managing a new bespoke database system to house the wealth of information Jarvis holds on raw materials and natural cosmetic formulae.

Jarvis Managing Director, Quentin Jarvis, said: “We are very excited about the two new roles we have created for Gavin and Tony which will add huge focus to our drive to become the leading development company for smaller, specialised companies to access bespoke expertise.

“This is part of a company-wide drive to increase our services and support for clients who are expanding and looking to our technical expertise to help them achieve registration in all corners of the globe.”

RB Media, based on Ransomes Euro Park in Ipswich, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola White as senior marketing consultant at the agency, expanding the agency and the expertise it’s able to offer.

Tanya Ruffles, owner and director of the PR and advertising agency said: “Nicola’s area of expertise includes PR and media buying, having worked in an agency for the past 13 years developing from receptionist to an executive director. She comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge and we’re excited about being able to enhance the services we’re able to offer clients.”

RB Media has seen significant success in recent months, despite the economic climate being somewhat hostile, with the appointment of a number of new clients over the past few months.

DURING the recent EPTDA (European Power Transmission Distributors Association) Convention in Budapest, Stewart Booth, operations director at Ipswich based PIX Europe Ltd, was confirmed as the new chairman of the Manufacturers’ Council.

PIX Europe also collected an award as the best promoter manufacturer member, in recognition of their work helping to grow the EPTDA organisation.

The EPTDA is the leading association for the industrial distribution channel in Europe, setting the highest commercial, environmental, social and ethical standards.

Commenting on the appointment and the award, Stewart Booth said: “It is a great honour to have the opportunity to serve this organisation, and its manufacturer members. I look forward to the challenges facing us – the marked growth in attendance at the Convention suggests this could be a very big year for the EPTDA”.

GAVIN Hughes has joined Rose Builders Ltd as senior quantity surveyor. Formerly with Jacksons, Brennan and Hutton Construction he brings with him a huge wealth of knowledge, experience and success in the Essex and East Anglian construction market.