ESSEX-based Solicitors Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP has expanded its immigration team and appointed a new senior caseworker.

Haddy Jack joins FJG after relocating from Birmingham and brings with her a proven track record of success. She has a wealth of experience gained at Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ), which was one of the largest legal aid providers in the UK for refugees and migrants until 2010. Haddy has also gained experience through her time at Kingston University in advising students about visas and immigration more generally.

Haddy said: “I am delighted to be joining FJG’s successful Immigration team and am pleased to be joining a firm with such a strong reputation.”

Hannah Graves, head of immigration at Fisher Jones Greenwood, said: “I am thrilled to be bringing someone of Haddy’s calibre on board and I am certain that she will prove a valuable addition and help the immigration team continue to grow and develop.”

OTLEY College hosted its annual prize giving ceremony where 71 awards were handed out.

Helen Kennett received the top NVQ learner of the year award sponsored by the East Anglian Daily Times.

The IT professional – who works for Suffolk Police – was ‘delighted’ with the accolade.

She said: “It’s brilliant to have won this award and would like to thank Otley and the EADT for their support.” She received a year’s subscription to Suffolk Business Magazine, a trophy, certificate and Waterstones voucher.

The ceremony was hosted by college principal Philip Winfield at the occasion, which was attended by 250 guests.

Two student of the year award winners were handed out. The first went to Ipswich based Carl Taylor. The animal studies learner achieved consistent results throughout the year and was praised for always putting others before himself.

The other student of the year award went to Peter Wojick. The apprentice from Boxted in Essex received his award for being the best construction apprentice in the college.

Guest speaker was Brian Alldis, a hand cycling road racer who competed in Beijing 2008 and is going for glory in the same sport at next years Paralympic games in London.

ANGLIA Ruskin University’s partnership with Barclays is paying dividends for 13 students, who are about to graduate with a BA (Hons) in management and leadership.

Barclays UK Retail and Business Banking launched the Retail Development Programme (RDP) in 2007 to provide their next generation of branch managers, and the first group of students began studying for a “Barclays Degree” with Anglia Ruskin in October 2008. As well as the tuition fees being paid by Barclays, the RDP package includes a salary of �12,495 (plus London weighting), study time, a business mentor, pension scheme and share options. The degree is work-based and the students are employed by Barclays from day one.

A fourth cohort of 25 students will begin studying for the degree in October, and Barclays and Anglia Ruskin have developed a close, partnership-based approach to the recruitment, design and delivery of the programme.

Anglia Ruskin’s vice chancellor, Professor Michael Thorne, recently visited Barclays’ Canary Wharf headquarters to attend The Value of Academia in Barclays, an event which saw the students present practice-based research findings derived from Critical Organisational and Leadership Insights, one of their final year modules.

He said: “It was wonderful to see the level of professionalism and maturity of the students, who were able to demonstrate both breadth and depth of knowledge in the subject areas.

“This degree programme is a perfect example of the innovative steps that have been taken in addressing the employer engagement agenda by the HE sector and by Anglia Ruskin in particular.”

Vanessa Knowles, principal lecturer at Anglia Ruskin’s Lord Ashcroft International Business School, said: “By working in partnership with Barclays we are able to continually examine ways in which the assessment strategy and work-based learning focus of the degree is aligned to current business issues within Barclays.”

Johannah Lynch, Barclays UK Retail Bank Graduate Development Specialist, highlighted the pivotal role that the RDP plays in the wider talent and leadership agenda within Barclays.

She said: “Barclays is proud to have established, in partnership with Lord Ashcroft International Business School, a market-leading, entry level programme.

“Talent and leadership development is at the forefront of our learning agenda and the sponsored degree programme has already demonstrated its success in creating a pipeline of talented leaders in our branch network.”

Katie Poole, who is about to graduate with first class honours, said: “The degree course provided by Anglia Ruskin University, in partnership with Barclays, is really second to none.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course and the blend of the academic and work-based experiences is extremely valuable in this current, more competitive, job environment.”

“The course exceeded my expectations, and I had high expectations to start with,” added fellow student Ian Falder. “I was able to go from being a school leaver to a branch manager of a bank in 18 months.”