SOUTHWOLD creative agency Spring’s focus on high quality customer care has been given another boost, with the appointment of Nikki Palmer as account manager.

Nikki’s experience, working in local agencies and for big brands such as Adnams, Network Rail and Toshiba, and her marketing degree from Lincoln, means that she will be a great asset to the agency.

Nikki said: “I’m thrilled to be working for Spring and looking forward to working on new things. I’m amazed by the fantastic clients and talented team I can work with in this idyllic location!”

Nikki Barker, client services director, said: “We’re thrilled to have Nikki on board. She knows and loves Southwold, which is an important part of Spring. Nikki has also got a great track record so we’re excited to add her to our fast-growing team.”

HANDELSBANKEN is pleased to announce that Martin Fish has been appointed to the position of corporate account manager in their Ipswich office.

Martin has worked for 16 years in the banking sector with the last nine years in the commercial arena. He said: “I’m delighted to be back working in Ipswich, where I live. Handelsbanken’s ethos of old-fashioned, service led banking as opposed to a target-driven volume exercise, is exactly how I believe all banking should be conducted.”

THE Suffolk marketing scene has attracted yet more talent as Method Creative joins the ranks of the county’s bustling creative scene from its new office on the High Street in Newmarket. An exciting and strategic merger of two established consultancies from the region has resulted in a united force with double the capability and twice as many ideas for supporting companies in the area.

Method founder Kirsten Corrigan, who grew up in Bury St Edmunds, has partnered with Ipswich-born Fiona Hering, a hospitality marketing and PR specialist who originally launched the 5-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London as well as a host of Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK.

Since relocating from London four years ago, Fiona has worked with many brands in the hospitality sector from the county and oversees the PR activities for the prestigious Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival as well as having launched the British Larder’s Suffolk flagship food site near Woodbridge. A long-term alliance with gastro experience company Food Safari has also been central to Fiona’s Suffolk activities and the partnership continues as she takes the business forward under the Method Creative banner.

“The potential for Method to make a real impact with both of us at the helm is really very exciting,” said Fiona. “We’ve been in talks for the past few years as our paths have crossed and a few months ago we decided to go for it. Suffolk is already making national headlines as a hub for creativity and innovation, especially in the food production and hospitality sectors. We can’t wait to further immerse ourselves in the community and start working with some inspirational businesses.”

ANGLIA Ruskin University has appointed Chris Parkhouse, managing director of Deyton Bell, as Visiting Fellow in International Business at Lord Ashcroft International Business School.

As Visiting Fellow Chris, who holds both US and UK nationality, will be invited to contribute to the MBA programmes, advise students researching business topics, be involved in supporting research projects carried out by the university and work with Anglia Ruskin on business-related issues.

Chris, who is chairman of the Institute of Directors East of England and was formerly deputy chairman of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “I am delighted and flattered to be appointed Visiting Fellow at Lord Ashcroft International Business School. I am looking forward to working closely with all involved, and to sharing the knowledge and experience I have gained in international business over the last 25 years.

Professor Terry Mughan, director of the Centre for Innovation in International Business at Anglia Ruskin, said: “We are delighted to be able to formalise the contribution Chris has been making to Lord Ashcroft International Business School for some time now.

“Chris Parkhouse is a distinguished member of the business community. As both an international businessman and an influential member of business representative bodies, Chris gives our school great access to current business issues and invaluable experience that is of great interest to our students.”

ENSORS Chartered Accountants are pleased to announce that Mark Upton has accepted an invitation to become a partner of the firm.

Mark joined Ensors in April 2008 as Director of Business Recovery and Insolvency based at the Cambridge office and, over the last three years, has established a successful and well respected team. Having qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988, he went on to pass his Joint Insolvency Examination Board (JIEB) exams in 1999 and is now a licensed insolvency practitioner and one of the leading business recovery professionals in East Anglia. Mark specialises in personal and corporate insolvency work, including formal assignments, pension reviews and independent business reviews, as well as turnaround advice and assistance to companies, lenders and other stakeholders.

Danny Clifford, managing partner, said: “The partners are delighted to welcome Mark as a partner and look forward to working with him to take the business forward. He is highly respected both within the insolvency sector and by colleagues alike.”