David Edwards, chair of the board at the New Wolsey Theatre, is to stand down at the end of his term in office. He will be replaced by Richard Lister, the current vice chair , who is provost at University Campus Suffolk, with effect from tomorrow.

David said: “I have not only felt honoured to have been chair of the New Wolsey board over the past six years, but it has also been a great pleasure. There are almost too many highlights to mention, but standing out for me have been the string of highly successful and popular musical productions, in particular It’s A Wonderful Life and Guys and Dolls, and I have been particularly proud of the collaborative work we have done with Graeae Theatre Company, especially The Threepenny Opera and Reasons to be Cheerful.

“Having started my own career as a member of the Youth Theatre at the former Ipswich Arts Theatre back in the 1960s, I have been very impressed by the New Wolsey’s commitment to working with young people, and the productions in the Studio of the Youth Theatre, Young Company and Young Associates have been outstanding, and continue to surpass themselves with each new intake.

“I was personally very pleased that we were able to persuade Sir Trevor Nunn to become the theatre’s patron, and to open the newly refurbished HEG in High Street.

“His love of theatre, like mine, was nurtured at the old Tower Street theatre, and it is great that that carries on today on Civic Drive.

“I am delighted that Richard Lister has been selected to take over the role of chair. His role and experience at University Campus Suffolk place him very well to take the theatre forward into its next successful phase.”

Richard Lister said: “It’s a privilege to be asked to chair the New Wolsey Board following David who leaves a splendid legacy.

“The New Wolsey Theatre is close to the hearts of many people and plays a central role in the cultural life of our town.

“The financial squeeze on arts organisations is acute but the board will face this challenge, support the outstanding management and staff, and help them continue to bring outstanding productions to this fantastic theatre.”

: : Accountancy firm Baker Tilly has expanded its tax team in Bury St Edmunds with the appointment of Mark Wallace as associate director.

Mark previously worked as client services tax director for local accountants Knights Lowe, and in his new role will be working in Baker Tilly’s private client services department overseeing a portfolio of high net worth individuals and providing tax planning for the office’s clients.

Stephen Duffety, office managing partner at Bury St Edmunds, said: “Mark’s experience of the private client tax sector and his knowledge of the local business environment will make him a real asset to the tax team. I’m delighted to welcome him to Baker Tilly where I know he will make a real contribution to the continuing success of our tax offering within the region.”

: : Four new recruits have been welcomed to begin their careers at the Ipswich office of financial and business advisers Grant Thornton as part of the firm’s annual Graduate and Accelerate school leaver programme.

Gareth Howells, Charlotte Ruffles, Daniella Arfi and Sebastian Newport have joined the training programme which provides the opportunity to work towards professional accounting qualifications whilst receiving first class training and on the job experience.

James Brown, practice leader at Grant Thornton’s Ipswich office, said: “As the Ipswich office expands its operations, we remain committed to investing in and developing young talent to build the next generation of skilled people to take the business forward.

“To this end we are taking on more than 260 trainees across 20 of our national offices to begin what we hope will be a long career with the firm. We are delighted to welcome Gareth, Charlotte, Daniella and Sebastian to the Norwich office who have all displayed the required energy, drive and passion to succeed. We look forward to working alongside and supporting them as they progress.”

Throughout the programme, which is open to both graduates and school leavers, all trainees undergo expert internal and external training. They are also given immediate responsibility, with full support from Grant Thornton’s experienced team, to help them develop.

: : New team members have joined Connect Education and Business to provide a specialist work-related learning and careers advice and guidance service to schools across Suffolk and Norfolk.

Connect Education and Business works with the support of over 2,500 small, medium and large employers across the region to bring a real work context into the class room to inspire and inform young people about different career opportunities open to them.

Charles Wood has taken up the role of STEM co-ordinator to manage the relationship between employer STEM Ambassadors and schools. STEM Ambassadors support schools with the delivery of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects, sharing their skills, enthusiasm and expertise gained from the work place.

Brenda Holiday and Lindsay Grant have joined the work-related learning team as work placement advisers. They will liaise with employers and schools to ensure young people receive a high quality experience when undertaking a work experience placement.

Connect Education and Business has recently been awarded the East of England contract to deliver the Barefoot Computing project. This new national programme is a partnership between the DfES, British Computing Society and BT and will offer hands on support to primary school teachers to help them meet the requirements of the new IT curriculum. Sue Goodchild has been appointed Barefoot project lead to liaise with schools and employers.

Naomi Hart has been appointed operations co-ordinator at Connect Education and Business to liaise with local schools about work placements and to help manage the career ambassadors and mentor network.

Angela Gant, chief executive of Connect Education and Business, said: “Making sure our young people are aware of and inspired by the amazing career opportunities on their doorstep is really important, as is making sure young people have the skills and attitudes needed by employers across the region. These appointments strengthen our team and help us to connect young people directly with employers for work related learning and careers inspiration.”

Connect Education and Business is an independent charity that brings educators, young people and employers together to ensure young people are aware of career opportunities and develop the skills needed to access them.

n A Stowmarket smallholder has become president of the world’s largest safety organisation.

Ian Harper, 43, took on the mantle of president of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) following the chartered body’s annual general meeting in November.

Ian, who keeps chickens, rare breed sheep, turkeys and bees on his land, is also a freelance safety consultant, and has been a member of IOSH for over 15 years.

“It’s daunting and humbling all at once. Though I am now president of IOSH, I am very much standing on the shoulders of the IOSH presidents and volunteers before me,” he said.

“My theme is perseverance in making the effort to go the extra mile.

“Safety and health can be a lonely job and you are not always recognised for your skills. I want everyone to persevere and continue to make a difference for the safety and health of workers all over the world.

“We need to continue to work together with business and point them in the right direction. It’s the little things that make the difference.”

Ian takes over as IOSH president from Tim Briggs, who has now taken up the role of IOSH’s immediate past president.

Dr Karen McDonnell became president elect following the AGM.

She is due to become president of IOSH in November 2015.