Law firm Bowcock & Pursaill has bolstered its Uttoxeter office with newly-qualified paralegal Flora Aubrey.
The solicitors' – which specialise in commercial and family law – first welcomed Flora to the business in 2018 as office junior.
But now the 23-year-old has climbed the ranks at the Uttoxeter office to become a paralegal.
Now Flora is looking to undertake further training to qualify as a solicitor or Chartered legal executive, specialising in conveyancing.
Flora said: "I'm enjoying the friendly office environment, everyone is very supportive of me and my training.
"I appreciate Bowcock & Pursaill's commitment to development as they have put me through my qualifications to date and advocated my progression within the firm."
Elsewhere, office equipment supplier Fenn 1875 has appointed Chelsea Spencer as its new head of marketing.
Chelsea has joined the Trentham business from her previous role at SO Marketing, which is based in Leek.
In her new role, Chelsea will be responsible for growing the brand and driving the business through innovation and 'relationship building'.
Chelsea said: "Joining Fenn 1875 at a time of growth is a great next step for both the business and my career in marketing.
"We're looking to drive the business forward in key areas and digital marketing will play a vital role in the expansion plans.
"Working with a B2B brand that has been around for almost 150 years is an exciting opportunity.
"I'm delighted to be joining such an innovative and forward thinking team where I’ll have the chance to evolve the brand through its next period of growth."
Keele Gateway has appointed Muhammad Saghir to the role of project manager for research, innovation and leadership development.
In his new role, Muhammad will be a key part of the Smart Innovation Hub team, focusing on the continued development of fully-funded support programmes for innovation-led businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Muhammad joined Keele in 2019 as part of the university's Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) programme.
He said: "A key focus for me will be bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that the research and expertise from the academic arena can be realised and successfully implemented into industry.
"The Smart Innovation Hub has already helped over 200 local SMEs, and I'm looking forward to further enhancing the support available to our local business community, enabling them to flourish and grow through improved innovation, development and leadership."
Meanwhile, experienced insolvency practitioner Michaela Daly will lead the Begbies Traynor operation in Staffordshire following Diane Dunion's retirement from the business.
Since last year, Michaela has been running the office alongside Diane and has played a pivotal role in growing the practice since it was acquired by Begbies Traynor in 2019.
The team has grown significantly in the past three years and continues to expand from its dedicated offices at Lymedale Business Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Michaela - who will take up her new role this month - said: "Diane built a strong practice under the Dunion & Co brand, which has continued to expand since the acquisition by Begbies Traynor.
"I feel proud to take on the mantle and continue to build the business, providing support and guidance to companies when they need it most.
"Our mantra will continue to be 'early intervention' because we know that we can make a positive difference to the future of a business if they call on our services in the initial stages of financial difficulty."
Diane added: "It has been a privilege to build this practice here in Staffordshire and I know it will be in very safe and experienced hands with Michaela leading the team.
"She has a real passion for helping businesses to work through times of distress, always focussed on finding the most positive outcome. I wish Michaela and the wider Begbies Traynor team every success for the future."
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has appointed Chris Plant as its new deputy chief executive.
Chris started his career as an apprentice marketing and events coordinator for the Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce in 2008, having also previously worked in business support for Lichfield District Council.
After moving to Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce as marketing manager, Chris was approached for a senior role as divisional director for both the Cannock and Burton Chambers, a position he has dedicated himself to for the last 10 years.
Chris said: "I am, and have always been, chamber through and through. The chamber has invested in me, and I am privileged to have been offered a position I just couldn't refuse.
"I am looking forward to working with Sara Williams and the Staffordshire Chambers team, supporting Staffordshire's great businesses and strengthening our economy."
Chief executive Sara Williams said: "Chris has been a real asset to the chambers these past few years and I am delighted he accepted the offer to come to us on a full-time basis.
"Chris already has the respect of his team and our members and his passion for supporting business will be a great asset."
Elsewhere dairy giant Ornua Foods UK has appointed Kerry Alexander as its new brands director.
Based at the firm's headquarters in Leek, Staffordshire, Kerry's role will be to continue the growth and development of Ornua Foods UK's major consumer brands including Pilgrims Choice cheese and Kerrygold butter.
Prior to her appointment, Kerry held a number of senior marketing roles with leading consumer goods brands in Africa and Europe.
She said: "I'm looking forward to working with the cross functional teams at Ornua as we build on the love and loyalty that consumers have for our Pilgrims Choice and Kerrygold brands and accelerate our share growth.
"We have some exciting developments in the pipeline over the next 12 months including new standout pack designs and formats, range extensions and creative multi-channel advertising campaigns designed to reinforce and bring to life the core benefits of both brands."
A materials expert at the international technology company Lucideon has been appointed to a key scientific committee.
Dr Richard White, principal consultant in materials at Lucideon has joined as the company's representative on the Ceramic Science Committee, which sits under the IOM3 Ceramics Society.
The committee, which is a technical group of the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3), seeks to represent the interests of the academic and industrial communities in terms of developing a detailed understanding of the underpinning science behind the manufacture and use of ceramic materials.
Dr White said: "This is the first time Lucideon has had a representative on the committee and I was honoured to be asked.
"I am looking forward to getting involved in a broader role within advanced materials."
Dr White, who studied ceramics at the universities of Manchester and Sheffield, has worked at Lucideon for 32 years.
Based at the company's Penkhull headquarters, his focus is on technical ceramics, primarily in medical device implants for the healthcare sector and the aerospace and defence industries.
Finally, the head of business development at Novus Property Solutions has joined the Women In Social Housing (WISH) Network.
Claire Bailey-Jones has broken down many barriers through her role at the national contractor, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent.
Now she want to open the door for more women in the industry as a board member for WISH's North West region.
WISH is a designated Community Interest Company dedicated to attracting new female talent to the UK housing sector.
It supports women in their career progression and works towards gender equality – in particular, reducing the gender pay gap within housing.
Claire said: "I am delighted to be selected as a WISH board member for the North West region. As a senior leader in the sector, and the only female representative on my surveying degree, I know first-hand the importance of driving diversity and opening opportunities for under-represented groups to enter the sector.
"I believe that everyone should be able to bring their 'whole self' to work regardless of age, gender, race, religion or sexuality and want to be an advocate to breaking down barriers that restricts entry to our sector."
