IPSWICH-based creative agency White Space has continued its drive to establish itself as a frontrunner for PR and social media services with the appointment of Rebecca Riley as PR account manager.

Rebecca joins Emma Noye, who has headed the company’s PR department since joining last year. Having already both worked within local Suffolk and Essex agencies, White Space says its PR team is energetic, dynamic, enthusiastic and full of fresh ideas. Emma and Rebecca are supported by the company’s creative team and the pair have big plans to establish White Space as a leading creative PR agency in the region.

Indeed, the company has carefully nurtured its client base over the course of the last 18 months and is now providing PR and social media services to companies including Timberwolf and FW Properties. The good fortune of the company shows no signs of slowing, and White Space PR was recently appointed by SEH French to raise its local profile, as well as providing assistance with trade media relations.

Rebecca said of her new role: “I am thrilled to become part of White Space PR, and myself and Emma have big plans to cement White Space PR as one of the best PR agencies in the area. Times are changing and businesses are becoming increasingly savvy about how they should be spending their marketing budgets in order to achieve the best results. We are energetic and ambitious – we don’t want to hide behind marketing or PR jargon, or tie clients into expensive retainers that aren’t flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the modern day business.

“Instead, we are committed to using our energy and creativity to develop campaigns that produce real, tangible results and benefit businesses.”

Emma Noye added: “Both Rebecca and myself are highly ambitious, and we know that we have the tools to make White Space PR one of the leading agencies in the country. There is an incredible amount of ‘lazy’ PR around, which does tend to give the industry a negative perception, and we’re here to completely counteract that with our well thought out, well executed campaigns.

“Over the last 18 months, we have already achieved some fantastic results, most notably for Ipswich Central and their BID renewal campaign, which resulted in the highest BID voting turnout in the country. With the support of the superb creative team, we know we can continue to produce similar results, and establish White Space PR as a frontrunner in the industry by delivering clear, concise and creative PR campaigns.”

: : MAJOR home furnishings company Glasswells has expanded its board of directors to include Richard Ball, a highly experienced member of staff.

Richard has been with the company for around 43 years after starting as a junior sales assistant at Glasswells’ very first shop in Brentgovel Street, Bury St Edmunds. Over the years he has worked his way throughout the business with his first managerial role at the age of just 22 years, working as the store manager at Glasswells’ Corn Exchange shop. Since then, Richard has worked in many store locations including relocating himself and his young family to Norwich to work as manager when the firm had a shop just outside the city centre.

As the company grew so did Richard’s responsibilities and he progressed to become the buyer of carpets, beds, curtains and linens. In 1992, Glasswells opened its current large store off Newmarket Road in Bury St Edmunds and Richard later became the upholstery, bed and linens buyer. Today, in addition to being a company director, he sources and purchases upholstery ranges, dining and lounge furniture and beds for the company.

He said: “Throughout the years there has been constant progression. Glasswells has always been, and contiues to be, a forward thinking company where there are always plans in place for future development and enhancement; this certainly helps to make Glasswells an enjoyable, challenging yet rewarding place to work. Glasswells is starting its current major progression with our recent change of logo that is being rolled out throughout the company, being fresh, clean and aspirational it reflects the ranges we have in store, there truly is something for everyone. It’s an exciting time.”

Paul Glasswell, Glasswells managing director, said: “Richard certainly knows a lot about Glasswells after some 43 years of working with us. I am sure his experience will prove to be highly beneficial to the board and he will play a key role in helping to shape the future of Glasswells.”

: : SENIOR associate Sonya O’Reilly has returned to regional law firm Birketts LLP following maternity leave to resume her role in the employment team.

Sonya graduated from the University of Leeds in 1997 and worked in the Norwich office of an international law firm before she joined the Birketts team in Norwich in 2005. Having returned from maternity leave, Sonya will be working from the Ipswich office.

Sonya said: “Having worked at Birketts for a number of years I am delighted to be returning to my role and I look forward to meeting new clients in the Suffolk area. I’m looking forward to building on my current experience and contributing to the skills and expertise within the employment team.”

Sonya advises on both contentious and non-contentious issues arising out of the employment relationship. Her day-to-day role involves the handling of complex tribunal claims, working with employers and employees in redundancy situations and dealing with TUPE implications across the employment sector. Sonya also offers training to clients and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

: : IPSWICH-based digital marketing agency Itineris is seeing further growth with the addition of two new recruits.

Andy Taylor joins as a developer within the technical team. Previously, Andy spent three years as an e-commerce manager for Chase Resources, was a software support manager and trainer for Baker Tilly Revas and worked as a web developer for digital agency Flosee. Andy holds a National Diploma in Telecommunications from Suffolk College.

Cerven Cotter has joined the team as senior designer. Cerven has over 10 years’ experience, having worked with startups, small businesses and large established brands owned by Unilever and Philip Morris.

With a firm eye on the future of design, Cerven is always looking to ensure that client’s online presence is powerful and effectively communicates the client’s message, while sticking to best practise modern web design principles.

Tim Butcher, managing director of Itineris, said: “The addition of Andy and Cerven is an indicator of our continued growth, which we have seen increase year on year despite the downturn in the economy. We are pleased to welcome them to the team.”

: : DEDHAM-based independent financial adviser Colin Low, director of Kingsfleet Wealth, has graduated as a chartered financial planner.

The ceremony, held at the Great Hall of the Chartered Insurance Institute at Aldermanbury in the City of London, saw awards presented to financial advisers from all over the UK.

As part of the ceremony, the graduates took an oath to maintain ethical standards and promote best practice in their businesses. Colin’s award was the culmination of 16 years of study and examinations, achieving the Chartered qualification in December 2010.

: : IPSWICH-based independent insurance broker Ryan Insurance Group has appointed Mark Dawson to join its business insurance division.

Mark joins Ryan from Towergate and brings a wealth of commercial broker experience to his new role as commercial account executive. Over the years Mark has gained much knowledge dealing with many types of commercial insurance including motor trade, manufacturing and importers and exporters.

: : THERE have been celebrations at William H Brown in Ipswich after the team was awarded the company’s regional Branch of the Quarter title.

The Ipswich office beat off strong competition from 52 other William H Brown branches throughout Suffolk, Essex, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

The award recognises the team’s outstanding performance in the first quarter of 2012 across all aspects of the business, including sales, lettings, mortgages and conveyancing.

“We have had a fantastic start to 2012 and I am delighted our achievements have been recognised in this way,” said Jak Offord, branch manager at William H Brown.

“The whole team worked very hard for this success, regularly going beyond the call of duty to help our customers at what can sometimes be a stressful time. We are proud of our high standards of customer care and hope the remainder of the year brings further successes.”