STEVE Kittle, previously managing director of machinery dealership, Randell NFM, has joined East Anglia-based agricultural purchasing co-operative Anglia Farmers (AF).

The move will see Steve use his experience to head up AF’s Machinery and Land Services divisions, which provide new equipment, parts and servicing to members as well as a delivering contract machinery hire and labour.

Steve spent the first 20 years of his career with Massey Fergusson, including a position as regional sales manager in Singapore, covering a large chunk of South East Asia. In 1990 Steve headed up a team to source a new range of diesel compact tractors from Japan, before becoming regional sales manager for the north of England.

In 1994 the time was right for a new challenge and Steve left Massey Fergusson to set up Norfolk Farm Machinery (NFM) with the Massey Ferguson Franchise for Attleborough and North Walsham.

In 2000 NFM took a step forward, when it was awarded the Fendt franchise and opened a purpose built depot in Attleborough. Two years later NFM expanded again, taking over the Massey Fergusson and Fendt franchise for the Sculthorpe area. But perhaps the biggest change came in 2005 when the NFM took on the agricultural division of Randell Agriculture and was re-branded Randell NFM Ltd.

Steve said: “In the past 38 years I have worked at all levels in the farm machinery trade and this has given me a very thorough knowledge of the industry as well as useful contacts. I’m keen to use this experience at AF in order to develop the already impressive portfolio of products and service the group offer.

“One thing that I have always believed in is first class customer service and creating a culture where service was paramount won us a lot of business at Randell NFM. I’m looking forward to continuing AF’s tradition of great customer service as well as developing my team.”

: : SUFFOLK Agricultural Association has made its own trinity of appointments. Former director of sales and marketing at Marriott Sprowston Manor for 11 years, Mel Benns brings extensive experience in hospitality and leisure to the role of sales executive and intern Sarah Jay is now office junior at Trinity Park Events, the commercial trading arm. Former Suffolk Show intern Abigail Southworth has been appointed administrative support for the Show team.

Mel headed a seven strong sales team for the 94 bedroom hotel, conference and events centre, golf course and spa during which time the golf course was raised to championship standard, the hotel underwent a £2.7m refurbishment and a large permanent marquee erected for large events. Mel was awarded Marriott’s 2008 Flagship Award as the top sales person in the South of England and was an Institute of Sales & Marketing Sales Manager of the Year finalist in 2005.

Previously she was area sales manager at Hilton Hotels for four years covering the Norwich Airport hotel, Stansted and Corby developing the events business.

Norfolk-born Mel began her hospitality career as a duty manager in small hotel and grill chef in a restaurant in Norwich before taking a job in a small 3* hotel which, in a couple of years saw her promoted first to duty manager then manager, developing weddings from 2 to 20 and the Christmas dinner covers from 60-860 and establishing room night contracts with local businesses. She then moved out of Norfolk to Wales as a specialist recruitment consultant in the hospitality industry, with up to 400 temps on placement a day, before returning to set up a similar business in Norwich.

“My approach to business is quite soft,” said the former chairman of the International Food and Wine Society in East Anglia.

“I believe in building relationships with clients and for them to come and have a fantastic time and they’ll be back. This is a great opportunity and a fantastic venue to sell. I can really focus on driving events without the distraction of hotel rooms and I am looking forward to the challenge of maximising sales on the diverse facilities both inside and outside in the lovely grounds at Trinity Park.”

Sarah studied for a BA degree in event management at University Campus Suffolk and has previously worked in the Events Centre, while former East Bergholt High School pupil Abi worked as a temp for the Suffolk Show and International Polo before the appointment to her current role.

: : ACCOMPLISHED rider and Chartered Surveyor Charlene Goudkuil has taken on a new role at estate agents Fenn Wright at Stanway, near Colchester, helping to relaunch the company’s equestrian website equestrianproperties4sale.

Charlene, 24, who lives on the Shotley peninsular near Ipswich, has been riding all her life and is a regular at local polo matches and show jumping events, She competed at The Royal International Horse Show in the years 2004 -2010, and in 2007 came 4th in the Working Hunter Class at the Horse of the Year Show.

After attending Ipswich High School, Charlene achieved a BSc (hons) in Real Estate Management from Oxford Brookes, and is now thoroughly enjoying her new role at Fenn Wright working alongside Fenn Wright Partner Martin Freeman.

“We’re working extremely hard on the new website to get it up and running early in the New Year and it’s fantastic - I absolutely love it,” she said.

: : MULTI-disciplinary construction consultancy Pick Everard has announced the appointment of RIBA Architect Paul Darlow as eastern region director, following the retirement of Ed Dale in December.

A graduate of Nottingham University, Paul has worked in East Anglia for over 25 years, first joining Pick Everard in the Bury St Edmunds regional office in 2007, as senior architect, and then Assistant Director in 2011. His wide project experience includes master planning for West Suffolk College and framework management of county council partnership contracts in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and in several London boroughs through the London Construction Programme.

Paul said: “I’m very excited about the challenges ahead. Ed Dale established a very capable 30-strong team of professionals that expertly manages delivery of our regional business and I look forward to developing our team further.”

Pick Everard partner Alastair Hamilton said: “As an effective team leader on partnership contracts, Paul has been instrumental in developing relationships and new business. Under Paul’s management, I’m confident we’ll continue to deliver expansion and growth as a major consultancy in the region. We also wish Ed Dale a long and very happy retirement”.

Pick Everard is currently leading construction of two technology centres in Wisbech and Kings Lynn for the College of West Anglia, designing a new £5.75million academic building at the University of East Anglia and new £7million building at West Suffolk College, working on primary schools for Cambridgeshire County Council and on new free schools in East Anglia.

: : EAST Anglian building supplies firm Kent Blaxill has sharpened its business focus with the appointment of Andy Whitney and Steve Last as sales and operations managers to head up two of its divisions.

Andy Whitney has been promoted to become sales and operations manager responsible for the company’s Building Materials Division. Andy (51), who lives in Colchester, joined the company in 1978 and has completed 35 years’ service with Kent Blaxill, becoming well known to builders throughout East Anglia.

“I am delighted that Andy has taken on this role” said John Ford, operations director. “He is a highly able and dedicated member of the company’s management team.”

Outside of work Andy, who is married with two daughters, is a National Trust Volunteer.

Steve Last (45) has been promoted to become sales and operations manager for the Glass and Glazing Division. He has been with Kent Blaxill for 28 years, working in a number of different sectors of the business. Steve (a Charlton FC supporter) lives in Maldon with his wife and four-year-old daughter.

Part of Steve’s new role will involve expanding the glass and glazing division’s business to the company’s seven other branches across East Anglia.

“Steve is already submitting investment proposals to grow the glass business,” said John Ford.

: : CHARTERED accountants and business advisers Larking Gowen has promoted Diane Deller to senior tax manager.

Diane joined Larking Gowen in 1998 and specialises in all aspects of corporate tax including employer solutions. She is based in the Norwich office but is part of the tax team which supports Larking Gowen’s offices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

Diane said: “I am obviously delighted to be promoted. It is acknowledgement of a lot of hard work which has seen the firm’s corporate tax practice grow significantly in the last 18 months. There is an increasing need in the market place for specialist knowledge and I am pleased to be at the forefront of this development for the firm.”