Stowmarket-based malt manufacturer Muntons has appointed Steven Bluff as finance director.

Steven has a wealth of experience having held senior finance positions within various food manufacturing companies.

He is a qualified management accountant and throughout his career he has always focused on commercial and operational roles and brings with him a high level of experience in multi- site and head office environments.

In his new role Steven will provide financial and commercial input to the strategic plan and its funding requirements as well as ensuring that effective financial structures and controls are in place to support the requirements of our growing and expanding business.

This is a very exciting time for the company having just secured a three year contract with its existing bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB, for £44million. This deal will enable the firm to manage the effects of the high and sometimes volatile grain markets more smoothly and look to grow and develop going forward.

Steven said: “Muntons is an exciting company facing challenging conditions during these recessionary times. I am pleased to be taking up the challenge and feel sure that my wealth of experience and my history within the food manufacturing sector will prove to be of great benefit in ensuring future success.”

: : THE partners of Gross & Co Solicitors in Bury St Edmunds are pleased to announce that Naomi Ogo qualified as a Solicitor in April.

For the last three and a half years, Naomi has been working at Gross & Co specialising in Immigration Law. Naomi will continue as an assistant solicitor in a team of four lawyers offering comprehensive services to British-based businesses wishing to employ foreign nationals, to foreign businesses and entrepreneurs wishing to set up in the United Kingdom and to private individuals and families wishing to live in the UK.

Naomi’s niche is provision of immigration advice to Japanese clients, in Japanese. Senior Partner Graeme Kirk said “We are delighted that Naomi’s hard work as a Trainee has been rewarded by admission to the Roll of Solicitors. Naomi joins a very busy team, highlighting the growing success of the firm in this very specialised field of law. Our international reputation for immigration work has been recognised by a ‘Top Ranked’ benchmark by Chambers UK this year.”

: : EAST Anglian law firm Prettys has promoted Jon Bloor and Zöe Hodge to partners and Angharad Ellis Owen and Paul Palik to associates within the firm. It also welcomes Paul Hayward who has recently joined as a solicitor in employment services.

Jon Bloor, who was recently made partner in corporate services, has a wealth of experience in all aspects of corporate transactions including business and share sales, management buy-outs and private equity investment. Paul Palik joins him as associate. Paul has been with the firm since 2007 and acts for clients on a wide variety of transactional and commercial matters. He has extensive experience in advising owner-managed businesses throughout their growth from start up, incorporation or acquisition to disposal or merger.

Appointed as associate in 2008, Zöe Hodge has now been made a partner in the wills, estates, trusts and tax department. Zöe is highly skilled in all aspects of private client work including wills, probate, the administration of insolvent estates, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection applications, care fee planning advice, inheritance tax planning, trusts and contentious probate matters.

Angharad Ellis-Owen has been made an associate in employment services. Angharad is a barrister and has a strong background in advocacy work and regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal. She advises clients on general employment issues such as disciplinary and grievance issues, absence management, redundancies and the preparation of employment contracts.

Paul Hayward who has been appointed as a solicitor in the employment services department. Paul joins from a leading Legal 500 firm in the Thames Valley carrying out a predominantly respondent portfolio of work. Former clients include NHS Trusts and international service companies that carry out central government contracts.

: : NICOLA Weldon has been appointed as a partner and Demelza Butler promoted to associate at Ipswich and Felixstowe-based law firm Blocks

Nicola is a specialist in private client work, including wills, trusts, probate tax and issues affecting the elderly.

Originally from Ipswich, studying at St Albans and Northgate Schools, she gained a BSc Honours in Law at Hertfordshire University, completing her professional qualifications at the College of Law in Guildford. She is based in the Felixstowe office and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Originally from Suffolk, Demelza Butler joined Blocks in 2011 after spending eight years at a well-known and respected law firm in Essex where she specialised in family and matrimonial work following completion of her training contract. She is a member of Resolution and has trained as a collaborative lawyer. Demelza is based at Blocks Head Office in Ipswich.

Managing partner Gerry Field said: “Our strategy for further growth requires us to have people in place who are not only exceptional lawyers but also possess strong leadership, communication and management skills.

“They have clearly demonstrated the qualities and talent to make a significant contribution to the firm.”

: : CHARTERED accountancy firm Larking Gowen has promoted Susie Hood to manager at its Ipswich office.

She joined the firm in 2008 as a senior accountant and in her new role she will continue to be responsible for small, medium and large businesses – ranging from electricians to major food producers.

“I am excited about my new role and the challenges it will bring,” said Susie.

“I hope to play a major part in the development and further growth of this firm in Suffolk and North Essex by continuing to provide a friendly yet totally professional service to clients old and new.”