ESSEX based Solicitors Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP have expanded their Chambers ranked Family team and appointed a new solicitor.

Andrea Godfrey qualified as a Solicitor in 1999 after having studied for her degrees in South Africa and completing her LPC at the University of Hertfordshire. Andrea brings with her a wealth of experience gained over the intervening ten years in areas as diverse as conveyancing and civil litigation as well as family law.

Andrea said: “I am delighted to be joining FJG’s growing Family team. I look forward to using my knowledge and skills in helping the firm to continue their success and to grow their already excellent reputation.”

Tony Fisher, senior partner at Fisher Jones Greenwood added: “I am very pleased to be bringing Andrea to the firm and I am excited to see the added value that her experience will undoubtedly bring to our Family team.”

ALISON Ryder, trainee accountant at Ensors Chartered Accountants, has gained top marks in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) financial reporting exam and been named as a prize winner in ACCA global awards.

Alison joined Ensors in September 2007 having successfully completed her A levels and gained 12 months experience working in industry. Upon joining Ensors, Alison sat and passed the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) exams in 2009, moving on to then study for ACCA with Kaplan Financial. Alison hopes to complete her studies in June 2012.

Tim Howes, centre manager at Kaplan Financial, presented Alison with a framed certificate and engraved glassware at a celebratory lunch to mark the occasion.

Graham Page, partner at the Bury office, said: “We are extremely proud of Ali. ACCA has more than 424,000 students around the globe so for Ali to have gained top marks in her financial reporting exam is a remarkable achievement.” He continued: “Ali is a very popular member of the Ensors team and I am sure this is only the start of a very successful career in accountancy.”

Andrew Leck, head of ACCA UK said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Alison can be rightly proud of her award; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication just to pass the ACCA exams and even more to get top marks. I wish Alison well in her continued study and look forward to her passing the qualification and becoming a full member of ACCA.”

IPSWICH-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to announce the graduation of its first British Officer Cadets. Cadet Tim Cummins and Cadet Ian Meacham were sponsored by Fred Olsen throughout their three years’ of study at Warsash Maritime Academy, in Southampton, and celebrated their graduation with a formal “passing out” ceremony at the academy in June 2011.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ managing director, Mike Rodwell, said: “We are extremely proud of our two new officer cadets, and I am sure that they will both be valuable members of our onboard crew. It is very satisfying to sponsor two such ambitious young men and to see them progress and develop into fully fledged officer cadets. We wish them every success for the future.

“It is important, as a British company, that we do all that we can to support the excellent work undertaken by Warsash Maritime Academy and others in promoting and encouraging maritime skills amongst young people in the UK. This nation has a proud seafaring heritage, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to play its part in training the mariners of the future.”

Cadet Tim Cummins was first attracted to a life at sea after hearing stories from a work colleague married to a Master Mariner. Tim spent three years training to be a Deck Officer, dividing his time between the academy and the Fred Olsen cruise ships, gaining valuable practical experience. He said: “I applied to a few companies, and it was sponsorship with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines that I accepted. It was an easy choice. What most attracted me was the varied itineraries of all of the ships. This is something that few larger cruise companies are able to offer these days.

“For now, my training has finished and I have just accepted my first position with Fred Olsen. Hopefully, this is a start of a promising career, and I could not be happier. And, one day, I hope that I will become a captain, hopefully within the fleet where I started.”

Cadet Ian Meacham decided that, before leaving school, life as a cadet appealed more than three years at university and the probability of having to pay off large debts after graduation. Ian attended an open day at Warsash Maritime Academy, which inspired him to apply to be a trainee cadet.

Ian said: “I chose Fred Olsen Cruise Lines - with its small, friendly ships with mainly British passengers - over the giant vessels of other cruise companies. During my time at sea, the officers and crew onboard all the Fred Olsen ships I’ve served on have made the three years of training challenging, interesting and, most importantly, fun!

“In terms of the future, captain is of course my aim. However, that is a long way away and years of experience are needed first, as well as passing more exams. The most important, aim, of course, is to continue to build upon the excellent reputation that Fred Olsen Officers have within the maritime industry.”

John Bazley, head of school of professional studies at Warsash Maritime Academy, said: “It is good to see the first UK Fred OIsen cadets qualify. Both Ian and Tim have performed strongly in their academic course and this, combined with their excellent onboard training, should set them up well for a fulfilling first complement appointment at sea”.