FOLLOWING its acquisition of two practices in 2009, Jackaman Smith & Mulley continues to develop with the promotion of two of its solicitors to partners in the firm.

The firm, which has offices at Ipswich, Felixstowe, Diss and Harleston, is reinforcing the services it offers to business clients by inviting employment lawyer Priya Nainthy and commercial property lawyer Mark Rowlands to become partners.

Mr Nainthy, who is based at Ipswich, joined the firm two years ago. He has over 10 years’ experience as an employment law specialist and has practised in Suffolk since qualifying. In recognition of his expertise, He was appointed as a Fee-Paid Employment Judge last year. He said he was “delighted” to have received this promotion and is looking forward to building up the employment law services offered to both employers and employees.

Mr Rowlands,w ho is based at Diss, joined the firm in 2004 as a trainee. He has worked in commercial property since qualifying and has worked at both the Felixstowe and Diss offices. He is enjoying establishing a commercial property client base within the Diss area and relishes the challenges ahead.

Managing partner Paul McGrath said: “The existing Partners greatly welcome the decision of Priya and Mark to join us. We see their appointment as a positive investment in the future of the firm, which builds on the strong foundations that are already in place. In particular, it strengthens our ability to meet the many and varied needs of our business clients and to make it easier for those clients to succeed in the present difficult market.”

MID-MARKET consulting, software and solutions provider Access, has appointed Chris Bayne as managing director of the Colchester-based company.

Mr Bayne was the MD for Access’ Solutions Division and formerly the MD for Armstrong Consultants before the business was purchased by Access’ parent company, Access Technology Group (ATG) in 2008. He will take up the post with immediate effect.

The MD for the Software Division, John Beech, has been promoted to strategic projects director within ATG. He will work closely with the founder and group managing director, Alistair O’Reilly, and group commercial director, Chris Tossell on alliances, investment opportunities and M&A activity. The new appointments mark a milestone in the continuing evolution of the company.

Mr O’Reilly said: “Both John and Chris have worked tremendously hard over the past year and have successfully completed their remit leading the two divisions and taking us forward as a consulting-led software and solutions company. John was pivotal in running the integration project which saw five ATG subsidiaries come together under one brand and working with our director of innovations to further integrate the product portfolio. Chris has been key in developing our new consultancy and direct sales arm and will now manage the overall day-to-day running of the business. John will embark on further high-level projects within the group to ensure future business expansion and growth.”

The move comes one year on from a total rebrand and restructure of the company.

In February, Access acquired the HR and payroll software specialists Select Software, now Access Select, allowing it to penetrate new markets and further extending the firms consulting expertise and software portfolio. At the same time, Paul Druckman was named chairman for Access. He had been a non-executive director of the company since 2004, when the business first started to accelerate through acquisition. During that period, Access acquired reseller businesses in Ireland and London alongside a manufacturing and distribution software provider.

Mr O’Reilly said: “The new appointments will help drive business growth, both organically and through acquisition, helping us to achieve our target of �100m turnover by 2017. John’s expertise in running high-level projects will help spearhead our acquisition strategies, whilst Chris’ expertise across the consulting, sales and software side of the business will help strengthen our position a consultancy-led business backed up and supported by our own IP.”

CHRIS Mason has been appointed a director of vehicle hire firm Gallagher Car And Van Rentals Ltd, based in Ipswich.

Mr Mason joined the company in 1983 by way of the Youth Opportunities Program and has worked in a number of roles within the company before being promoted from his current position, general manager.

Company owner Anne Gallagher said: “I am delighted to announce this appointment. Chris brings his vast knowledge of the vehicle rental and transport industry to his new position which can only enhance the service we provide to our customers” Mr Mason said it was “a great privilege and honour” to be invited to join the board of Gallagher Car & Van Rentals.

“For over 25 years, Gallagher’s has remained a fiercely independent rental company, providing an exceptional service to the local community. It is my intention to improve even further on the levels of quality, value and customer satisfaction that we have always prided ourselves on,” he said.

SUFFOLK entrepreneur Teresa Dukes of Dukes Consultancy will be responsible for inspiring and leading over 225 speaking clubs in the UK & Ireland towards building their members’ passion and confidence in public speaking.

Ms Dukes was elected to the top office within Toastmasters International on July 1 at its recent Annual Business Meeting held in Sligo, Ireland.

Ms Dukes said: “I walked through the door of my first speakers club in August 1999 as a timid, shy individual scared to even stand up and say my name. After 11 years I am filled with the same passion and dedication to the training and educational modules in communication and leadership that gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and help others achieve theirs.

“This year as District Governor for the UK & Ireland I am engaging with all our clubs and over 6000 members to encourage them to find the passion they had when they first joined Toastmasters International and to Inspire With Passion the message that confident communication can help everyone in all areas of their lives.“

Ms Dukes joined Ipswich Electrifiers in 1999 and started a sister club, Speak Easy @ Martlesham, in 2004.

She now runs her own consultancy firm specialising in effective communication, leadership and speaking skills.

A CITY businessman has been appointed to the board of a Suffolk-based farming co-operative.

Rodney Baker-Bates MA, FICA, AIMC, FCIB has joined AtlasFram Group, the UK’s largest farmer-owned farm inputs purchasing and crop marketing business, based at Framlingham.

Mr Baker-Bates brings to the role his extensive financial and corporate management experience, together with core skills in strategic development, leadership and change management gained at the highest level in a wide range of not-for-profit and commercial organizations, including the British Broadcasting Corporation, Prudential plc and Midland Bank plc.

He is a director of independent private UK bank C. Hoare & Co, chairman of the Stobart Group Ltd, which employs 5300 staff providing road, rail, sea and air transport and logistics to customers, and chairman of the Assura Group, which owns and invests in primary care property throughout the UK.

He also chairs G’s Group Holdings Ltd, a large, vertically-integrated grower-to- marketing organisation, and EG Solutions, a provider of back office operational efficiency software, and is deputy chairman of Co-Operative Financial Services and a non-executive director of London-based fund manager Bedlam Asset Management plc.

Mr Baker-Bates’ key strengths include a detailed understanding of financial and risk management and considerable experience of corporate finance and funding issues. His expertise includes customer/supplier relationship management and business generation, the training, development and motivation of managers and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds and skills, and specific experience in handling the complex relationship between the public service and private sectors.

Mr Baker-Bates, 66, is married, with a 33-year-old son, and lives in Peasenhall. Outside of work he enjoys a wide range of leisure pursuits, including gardening, shooting, classic cars, the theatre and art.

Robert Rous, chairman of the AtlasFram Group, said: “I am delighted that a businessman of Rodney’s calibre and standing has agreed to join our Board. His broad business background, wide-ranging expertise and in-depth experience will be invaluable in taking our business forward.”