Richard Barker has been appointed managing director at regional recruitment firm Cooper Lomaz, stepping up from his previous role as operations director.

Richard Barker has been appointed managing director at regional recruitment firm Cooper Lomaz, stepping up from his previous role as operations director.

The joint founders of the Bury St Edmunds-based company, Jane Lovell and Charlotte Cooper, who were previously joint managing directors, are now joint-chairmen.

Beverley Gedge, who has been with the firm for 12 years, has been appointed operations manager for executive recruitment, in which role she will be heading a new executive service launched by the firm to find top talent for senior management roles with salaries of £60,000-plus.

Other appointments in recent months include Mark Fletcher as business manager in Norwich, Paula Bell as business manager in Peterborough and Sally Cleary as operations manager - temporaries, with responsibility across the group.

Miss Lovell said: “We take pride in being able to find extremely skilled individuals with ambitions to match those of East Anglia's top companies. The passion to find and nurture high achievers is very much what Cooper Lomaz is about and we have earned a reputation for a quality-driven service with both clients and candidates.”

Richard Barker added: “Our established clients are now asking us to help them recruit very senior personnel in the £100,000-plus sector. Previously, they would have gone to London-based recruitment consultancies and head-hunters.

“The capital's head-hunters do not always have an in-depth knowledge, understanding or appreciation of East Anglia. For us, being based here is a real advantage.”