East Anglian law firm Birketts has announced the promotion of five senior associates to partner status across its four offices, including Oliver Crichton and Ruth Sunaway in Ipswich.

Oliver, who joined Birketts in January 2012 and is experienced in dealing with all aspects of commercial property work, said: “Birketts is one of East Anglia’s largest, fastest growing and most well respected law firms and I’m thrilled to have been appointed a partner.”

Oliver runs a highly successful team dealing principally with property transactions on behalf of some of the country’s largest pension fund providers. In addition, he is experienced in all aspects of freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant, property finance and corporate support.

Ruth, who joined Birketts in 2005 and carries out a range of contentious and non-contentious construction work, said: “I’m delighted to be made a partner at Birketts; it’s a fantastic law firm to work in. Since joining the firm 10 years ago I’ve seen the firm go from strength-to-strength and I’m excited about the challenges that lay ahead.”

Ruth is rated in Chambers and Partners as a specialist contentious construction solicitor and acts for a wide range of clients in the construction industry with a particular focus on acting for contractors.

Jonathan Agar, chief executive at Birketts, said: “We are delighted to welcome Oliver and Ruth to the partnership.

“They have both become key members of the Ipswich office and its expansion over recent years and will continue to play a vital role growing the business in our chosen markets.”

Oliver and Ruth formally took up their posts in this month.

: : Processes specialist Russell Malcolm-Stewart has joined Kent Blaxill in Colchester as glass operations manager as part of a department restructuring.

“His role will be to ensure our efficiency in completing projects on time and in full, as well as helping us achieve our goal of being easier to deal with,” said business manager Steve Last.

Russell, 35, will work under Steve alongside technical manager Adam Smith and installation manager Neil Currell.

Russell’s background is in operations management, which has included five years with the Love Film distribution centre. He has IOSH and NEBOSH health and safety qualifications and experience in change and process management.

“His arrival will allow other members of the team to concentrate on their project work and we are already seeing gains in productivity,” added Steve.

: : Fox’s Marina and Boatyard based in Ipswich has appointed Richard Hamer as sales manager of Fox’s Rigging and Systems.

Richard grew up in Harwich and his entire working life has been spent in the marine industry. Previously he has worked at Square Sail, Pendennis Shipyard, Oyster Yachts and, most recently, as part of a design group working with Nautor Swan.

In addition to his extensive knowledge of the marine industry and yacht design, Richard is a life-long sailor, with experience of sailing in everything from dinghies to square-riggers, cruising yachts and offshore racing yachts.

Richard will be responsible for handling all Rigging enquiries and will be working hard to further develop the success of Fox’s status as a Seldén Technical Centre. As well as building on the core marine operations, he will be seeking to expand the scope of the business by building on the success of recent architectural rigging commissions.

Bolstered by a background in design, Richard will also be heading sales of Fox’s Stainless and will be looking to expand the scope of the business into new markets, whilst adding 2D and 3D design capability to the department.

Managing director Will Taylor-Jones said: “We are really delighted to welcome Richard to the team at Fox’s Marina and Boatyard where I know his extensive knowledge of the marine industry, his hands-on approach, sense of humour and excellent communication skills will be a benefit to our customers and an asset to the business as we look to develop the services offered by Fox’s.”

: : Chartered accountants LB Group has appointed Tatia Goldstone as associate director.

She will be responsible for contributing to the overall strategy and offerings of the firm, which has offices in in London, Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich.

Tatia, who joins from Baker Tilly and will be based in Chelmsford, has been qualified since 2001 and has almost 20 years’ experience in practice. She has worked in a general practice environment for many of those years but has also focused on accounts compliance work.

Stuart Sheldrick, director, said: “Tatia brings valuable know-how to LB Group and will be an asset to the management team. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we look to define more proactive accountancy, tax and business solutions for our clients and grow our presence locally.”

Tatia said: “I am delighted to take on this opportunity with LB Group with the intention of growing the practice, while at the same time delivering an all-round client service. “LB Group is a dynamic, forward thinking company, constantly seeking to improve the service we can offer to our clients and I look forward to being able to add value to a well-established team which shares the same brand values as I do.”

Tatia will be working with clients of all sizes and sectors, to assist in providing an all-round service whilst maximising any opportunities on behalf of her clients.

: : Marketing communications agency Banbury Howard has taken on a new graphic designer.

Charlotte White has joined the team, headed by creative director Colin Boyd, based at the agency’s offices at Adastral Park, near Ipswich.

She has worked for more than four years for advertising agencies in the region and started her career taking up an apprentice designer’s position after completing her A-levels and a diploma in IT.

She is keen on photography and original illustration, and her new role includes design for digital and for print, as well as consulting on a number of digital marketing issues.

Charlotte said: “I’m really thrilled about joining the team at Banbury Howard and I’m looking forward to working across their wide portfolio of clients on some new and exciting campaigns.”

Colin Boyd said: “Charlotte comes to Banbury Howard with a fantastic CV and an impressive portfolio, and her experience as an apprentice brings a truly unique perspective.

“She is a great asset for our team, enhancing the design and digital services we offer.

“Charlotte has joined us at an exciting time as we continuing to grow in strength and numbers to ensure our clients all have the best team available to deliver real, measurable results.”

: : Essex law firm Birkett Long has recruited new partner Justin Stock to its Chelmsford commercial real estate team.

Justin, 50, is Essex-born and well known in the Chelmsford area for his work specialising in commercial real estate.

His work includes helping clients to buy or sell commercial property, acting for landlords and tenants on commercial leases for industrial, retail and office premises, and acting for clients and banks on secured lending transactions.

Managing partner Adrian Livesley said: “Justin comes with an impeccable track record and valuable knowledge of the business market in the Chelmsford area, where we have a large client base.”

Justin, a former partner with another law firm in Chelmsford, had been with that firm all his working life but says the time is right for him to move.

“I’m very excited to be joining Birkett Long but I’ll be leaving with mixed emotions. For one thing, I will no longer be seeing my wife (Alison) in the office daily, who still works for the firm I have just left,” he said.

“However, Birkett Long is a progressive firm, has a very good reputation and a strong commercial property presence, and I am looking forward to nurturing their long-standing relationships in the local business community.”