REGIONAL law firm Ashton KCJ has appointed two new members of staff in the firm’s business development and clinical negligence teams.

These appointments closely follow a number of commercial team appointments made since merger, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to growth across all its chosen areas of law.

Colin Willett has joined the firm as business development adviser for the individual services group. Colin, who is based in the Bury St Edmunds office, will also be working with the firm’s joint venture business, Ashton KCJ Financial Planning LLP.

Colin has held senior marketing positions in a range of firms, including working for a London-based digital marketing agency. His experience in the legal sector has been gained at Birketts and Birkett Long.

Sophie Bales has joined Ashton KCJ’s medical injury team in Thetford, having trained and recently qualified with the firm.

Chief executive Simon Smith said: “We are delighted to announce these further appointments which come hard on the heels of both commercial solicitor appointments and the acquisition of franchise specialists John Chambers & Co.

“The appointment of Colin Willett reinforces the firm’s commitment to our three service areas: individual client, commercial and injury services. Each service area now has a dedicated business development adviser.

“Sophie’s appointment further strengthens our clinical negligence team, underlining its commitment to excellence and to continuing to provide the best service to those injured as a result of negligent medical treatment.”

: : THE Thompson Smith & Puxon (TS&P) wills and probate team bid a fond farewell to Pat Watson, who has retired from the team after more than 30 years’ service with the firm.

Pat, who was based at the firm’s Clacton office, started working at TS&P as a part-time secretary but during her time at the firm she took the exams necessary to become an associate legal executive and she became an integral member of the team. Her retirement presentation was held in the boardroom at TS&P’s Colchester office when she was presented with a picture, painted by David Welham, a consultant solicitor in the team, and a Kindle. Directors and staff at TS&P wished Pat a happy, healthy and very long retirement.

In readiness for Pat’s retirement, Louise Cardwell, a solicitor who qualified in 2008, joined the Clacton team at the beginning of May. Louise, who lives in Ipswich, is currently in training for the Ipswich half marathon and has applied to run in next year’s London marathon. She enjoys cinema and is an accomplished pianist, having passed her Grade 8 exams. Louise advises clients about their wills, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney.

Nicki Frearson, a secretary in the litigation team, and Alison Laver, a paralegal in the wills and probate team have both successfully completed their Level 3 professional diplomas in law and practice. They are now associate members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).

Nicki, who joined TS&P in February 2000 as an office administrator, started studying for her exams in early 2010. As well as her diploma in law and practice, Nicki has also been awarded a distinction in the ITC specialist course in insolvency and debt recovery which she undertook at the same time.

Alison, who joined TS&P in 1999 as a probate and conveyancing secretary, started studying to become a chartered legal executive in 2010, and on the way to achieving her diploma in Law and practice also completed the Level 3 certificate in elderly client practice.

Alison will become a chartered legal executive provided she completes two more sets of exams by 2014. She will then need to complete a minimum of five years employment experience in legal work to be admitted as a fellow of CILEx.

HR director Richard Porter said: “As a firm we are committed to supporting our employees with their training and are keen to invest in the future of the firm. Congratulations to them both on passing their exams and good luck to Alison with the next exams she is set to take.”

: : DAVID Timms and Nick Penn have been appointed to regional sales management roles at Ransomes Jacobsen, manufacturers of commercial mowing and turf maintenance equipment, based at Ipswich.

Both report to UK and Ireland sales manager John Quinton, and are responsible for business development, equipment sales and dealer support across their respective territories.

David Timms, whose territory covers the west of England and stretches from Lands End to Barrow-in-Furness via Wales, joined the company in August last year following nine years in a sales management role at JSM Distribution, the niche products division of John Shaw Machinery.

He has recently relocated to Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, where he lives with his wife Samantha and their two sons aged six and two.

Nick Penn joined the company in March 2012 and is responsible for a territory from Dudley in the West Midlands across to the Welsh border, down to Hampshire and east to outer edge of the M25 in Berkshire and M3 in Surrey.

For the past two years he was area sales manager at Burrows Grass Machinery responsible for Manchester and Cheshire and the fleet hire division. He has also worked for Howard Sheach, the UK distributor of Great Dane zero turn mowers and Midland Tractors.

He lives with his partner Gabrielle and their two daughters, aged four and eight months old in Cannock, Staffordshire.

Mr Quinton said: “It is obvious from their CVs that we have added two very experienced sales professionals to our team here at Ransomes Jacobsen. We have a momentum within the business that has seen us grow market share in the past two years and these two guys will help us sustain that, going forward.”

: : IPSWICH-based recruitment consultant Tandem Personnel has boosted its team with the addition of an apprentice, Emily Sainsbury, in conjunction with leading training organisation Key Training.

Tandem Personnel, which is based in Ipswich town centre, began working with Key Training last year to offer a young person in Ipswich an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification while working.

The recruitment consultancy took Emily on as an apprentice in August last year, studying a Business Administration Level 2 Apprenticeship. The qualifications, which have been designed by Skillsfirst Awards specifically for those who want to learn general office skills, include a wide range of modules including data management and preparing business reports.

Emily completed her first Level 2 apprenticeship in April and as her role has now developed, she has since started her Level 2 apprenticeship in customer services while still remaining a full time member of the Tandem Personnel team.

While undertaking her apprenticeship training, Emily has been supported by a Key Training mentor, Sue Howes, from Key Training’s Ipswich office.

Sue said: “Working with Emily for a number of months now, I have seen her confidence grow, as well as her ability to take on more tasks at work.

“The apprenticeship has improved her communication skills, both written and when talking face to face with potential candidates.”

Emily is aiming is to complete her customer services course by the end of 2012 and start a Level 3 Apprenticeship, which will provide her with skills for the future as she progresses in her career.

Emily said: “It’s been wonderful to learn new skills and knowledge while working and earning money.

“I’ve now got lots of experience in office administration and a qualification. Thanks to Tandem Personnel, Key Training and Skillsfirst Awards who have all worked together, I’m in the great position of having future career prospects within a great company.”

: : WHERSTEAD-based infra red technology experts Green Energy (eu) Ltd has announced the appointment of Karen Scrutton as director of sales and training.

Karen will spearhead the development of Green Energy’s franchise programme including leading the development of their bespoke training package.

Karen was the first person in the UK to be appointed to the role of “Expert” by British Gas, where she was responsible for training sales consultants. She went on to lead the implementation of British Gas’ solar expertise programme.

Karen said: “I’m extremely passionate about renewable energy and alternative sources. I believe that Redwell technology is the best alternative heating source that is available right now; it is suitable for any home and will fit into any lifestyle.

“Not only that, the renewable sector is one of the biggest growth industries in the country. This company is heading in the right direction and I’m really looking forward to becoming part of it.”

Michael Howard, director of Green Energy, said: “We are pleased to have someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Karen joining our team and we’re confident that she will drive forward our ambitious growth plans.”