Insurance broker Bayliss & Cooke has appointed Zoe Bytheway as its new account handler.
Zoe joins the Stafford business with a range of industry experience which includes roles at the National Farmers' Union, Swinton and Rollinsons.
She said: "I'm really looking forward to getting to know the existing clients and introducing myself to new ones too – dealing with customers is the very best part of the job.
"It's always great to speak to clients and build up good relationships with them, and I also enjoy helping the executives with the broking of policies.
"It's a role where no two days are ever the same and I like the variety it brings. I also try to ensure that I always deliver helpful and effective support, and that customers are at the heart of everything that I do."
Vicky Clarke, from Bayliss & Cooke, added: "We're very pleased to have Zoe on board and she has already been a great fit with our colleagues in the Stafford office.
“As a group, we are always keen to recruit talented and experienced people who can help us to exceed our clients’ expectations and ensure we deliver the peace of mind they need.
“Zoe will play a key role supporting our brokers and we’re delighted to welcome her to our growing team.”
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Law firm Bowcock & Pursaill has welcomed Rhiannon Moody and Emily Lowe to its team.
Assistant solicitor Rhiannon will work in the litigation department while paralegal Emily will assist the team on matters including Will drafting, preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate and Court of Protection.
She said: "In my role I'll ensure that clients have their affairs in order. Bowcock & Pursaill have a really great long-standing reputation and as soon as an opportunity arose for me to become a part of the team I was quick to take them up on the offer."
Rhiannon added: "From a young age I always had an interest in law, in particular criminal law. I went on to study Law at A-level, undergraduate and postgraduate.
"I've always enjoyed helping people and being a voice for those who may be struggling or have a problem, and my role of solicitor will allow me to do this. I can’t wait to support the people who need me most in my role at Bowcock & Pursaill."
Ian Naylor, partner at Bowcock & Pursaill, said: "The addition of both Rhiannon and Emily to our team is a great way for us to move forward into 2021 and continue to provide expert, sensible legal advice to our clients.
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"We're excited to see Emily and Rhiannon fit into the team and help us to better support those in need of clear, appropriate legal support."
Meanwhile, an expanding mortgage company has promoted Jonathan Edwards to the role of compliance manager.
Jonathan joined My Simple Mortgage, in Basford, as a junior case manager in 2017 after being made redundant from a job at a Waitrose warehouse.
James Adams, a director and founder of the business, said: "We've concentrated on building a strong team at My Simple Mortgage and a big part of that is developing our staff. Jonathan joined us in 2017 with no experience in the mortgage sector but with a clear desire to learn. Growth at My Simple Mortgage has led to the establishment of a compliance manager role and we see Jonathan as a perfect fit."
Jonathan said: "The company has grown by reputation and I've seen the team expand rapidly and mortgage applications treble. The compliance manager role is important as it ensures all Financial Conduct Authority requirements are met, and standards of customer services are as high as possible."
A Lichfield law firm has increased its workforce and expanded its niche services.
Four Oaks Legal Services (FOLS) has taken on another solicitor and a legal assistant after enjoying a steady year-on-year business growth since it launched in 2016.
Adam Penn is a new private client solicitor while Tracey Edridge has joined the independent firm as a legal assistant.
While both are a welcome addition to the team, Adam also extends FOLS’ niche offer into contested wills and probate – like family arguments over distributing a deceased relative's will.
Co-director Rebecca, a wills and probate solicitor, said: "We are thrilled to have Adam on board.
"While we already have expertise in dealing with wills and probate clients, contested cases aren't something we've been able to take on in-house before. But, with Adam's wealth of experience in this arena we can now extend this service to our clients, which we're delighted to be able to do."
Adam said: "My background in litigation means that I'm in a unique position to deal with estate planning and contested estates, wills and probate.
"My objective is to provide peace of mind to those wishing to plan for the future and those dealing with disputes, which can arise following the death of a loved one. I'm delighted to be part of a team that prides itself on having an attention to detail, caring and transparent approach."
Elsewhere, B2B marketing agency Lesniak Swann has appointed an accomplished content and PR expert to its team.
Maggie Morrissey has joined the Stoke-on-Trent company having worked with industry-leading companies across the construction, manufacturing, power generation, and environmental sectors.
She joins Lesniak Swann following a number of recent account wins including its appointment as lead agency for British Gypsum.
As well as providing senior PR support to the agency’s current clients, Maggie will be working closely with the leadership team to further develop how content and PR can help to deliver competitive advantage for B2B clients.
Managing director Alex Swann said: "We're delighted to welcome Maggie to the team.
"We're known for giving our clients an unfair competitive advantage by creating campaigns that pull in the most effective combination of marketing services and techniques to meet their specific commercial needs.
"Increasingly PR is becoming a more prominent tool, so we’re expanding our capabilities in this area. We have ambitious plans to expand further over the coming years and Maggie’s appointment is a key part of that.
"To be the best, we need the right mix of people, personalities, capabilities and experience and are looking forward to tapping into her unique set of skills to help us to build on and grow our existing client base."
Digital agency Netbiz Group has added three new members to its team in the final quarter of 2020.
Newcastle-based Netbiz Group has recruited Sarah Smith as marketing assistant, Kieran Hymus as digital marketing assistant and David Wren as web developer.
The recruitment drives means the business has taken on seven new team members in 2020 despite the current pandemic - expanding its workforce by 30 per cent.
Managing director at Netbiz Group Will Hayes said: "It's great to see new team members joining us despite the current situation. We're very proud to announce that this growth in team members is the result of growth that we have seen both in new client numbers and business turnover.
"The new additions form part of our commitment to attract and retain top industry talent to further expand current and prospective clients with services of the highest quality."
And finally, Forge Property Consultants has welcomed Sophie Wall to the team.
The Chartered surveyor and RICS-registered valuer will be working across both of the company's offices in Shropshire and Staffordshire, specialising in valuation and RICS Home Buyer reports across residential, commercial and rural sectors.
Sophie will be working alongside director Charles Lawson, associate director Tom Mason and fellow surveyor Andy Lowe to deliver the full range of property services offered by Forge.
Charles said: "We are so pleased to have such a talented property professional as Sophie join our team. Her expertise in valuation and Home Buyer reports is particularly welcome as, even in these challenging times, we continue to receive a high number of enquiries for these services every week.”
Sophie added, “I am very pleased to be joining Forge’s friendly team and I’m really look forward to building on my experience and expanding my skills set further in this busy consultancy.”