Movers and shakers

BICESTER: Ambrosden Court, which builds under the County Homes banner, has won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council for the tenth consecutive year. Only companies with below average accident rates are eligible to apply and winners must also have good safety policies, plans and commitment to health and safety at the highest board level. Clive Collisson, managing director of Ambrosden Court, said: "We pride ourselves with setting high standards of safety, design and overall excellence, and are really proud of all the team who have helped to make this standard for ten consecutive years no mean achievement." British Safety Council chief executive David Ballard added: "Winning this for ten consecutive years is an outstanding achievement."

OXON: Persimmon Homes South Midlands has announced three new senior appointments. John Lougher, 45, joins the region as managing director, having previously held a similar role at Westbury Homes' central region. Mr Lougher, who lives in Ascott-under-Wychwood, has 23 years' experience in the industry, starting as an assistant quantity surveyor in 1983. In his new role he will have overall responsibility for land acquisition, planning consents, construction, sales, after-sales and finance for a current annual turnover of approximately 500 homes. Rose Haynes also joins from Westbury's central region and has been appointed as an area sales manager. Ms Haynes, 51, is responsible for managing and motivating a team of sales advisers located at five developments across Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. And Darren Bland, 28, has joined as finance director (designate). He will be responsible for ensuring the region's financial targets are met.

ARDINGTON: PR and event management agency, Blue Zebra, has appointed Annabel Cliff as junior account executive. A marketing graduate from the University of Portsmouth, Ms Cliff will be drawing on her experience in the automotive sector by working on the campaign for Jeep Trials, an initiative to encourage people to test drive a Jeep. Managing director Diana Rhodes said: "Annabel's marketing and event management background will provide our clients with a broad range of skills."

ABINGDON: marketing agency On Communication has achieved the ISO 9001:2000 quality standard. Assessors were impressed with the firm's management systems and processes, and praised its professionalism, energy and enthusiasm. On Communication managing director, Martine Benoit said: "By reaching this standard with such high praise, the On team has signalled its commitment to our existing philosophy of constant improvement."

BANBURY: Tim Hooton, who has worked in the hotel industry for 16 years, has been appointed general manager at the Macdonald Whately Hall in Banbury. Mr Hooton, who lives in Chipping Norton, was previously general manager at the three-star Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh for five years. He said: "This is a lovely property and has great potential for growth. I will be forging strong links with the local corporate market and further improving our wedding business, because we have superb gardens. Banbury is under-rated as a leisure destination. Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace, Oxford and Stratford are all nearby and Banbury has more to offer as a leisure break than some people realise."

OXFORD: Martin Lamaison will be retiring as group financial director of Oxford Instruments in August. Mr Lamaison has been with the company since 1985, and has played a significant role in the development of the group. Kevin Boyd, currently group finance director of Radstone Technology will join the Oxford Instruments board of directors on August 8 as group finance director. Mr Boyd, 41, joined the Radstone Technology Board in 2003, and was previously finance director of Siroyan Limited and has held senior finance positions within the TI Group.

OXFORD: Human resources consultancy Chiumento has made two new appointments. James Underhay joins as commercial director and Olwyn Burgess, becomes client services director. Mr Underhay spent almost five years with finance giant KPMG, where he headed up a sales and marketing team for one of the firm's key markets. In his new role he will be responsible for all sales and marketing activity within Chiumento and will support the consultancy with its strategic planning process. Ms Burgess spent six years as an associate director for both TMP and Hudson Capital Solutions.

ADDERBURY: Jaz Kundi has been appointed resident involvement manager with Charter Community Housing. Ms Kundi has several years' experience in social housing. She joined Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1995 as a development officer during which time she compiled a report on Asian Women and Domestic Violence and later moved into housing management. In 2001 she joined Oxford City Council where she led a review of tenant participation and implemented an action plan. Most recently, she was with the A2 Housing Group as resident involvement co-ordinator. She said. "I want to ensure that all people can have the same choices in life and believe that they should be encouraged to become involved in issues which affect their lives and their homes."

OXFORD: Chris Lewis Security Services has been voted UK Installer of the Year in the Urmet Domus Installer of the Year Awards. The awards, independently judged by a panel from Professional Security magazine, recognise installers who consistently operate to the highest standards and offer customers unparalleled support and service. Managing director Chris Lewis was presented with an engraved trophy and a cheque for £500, which he donated to CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading children's cancer charity. He said: "We are delighted to have been given this award, which reflects the quality of service and workmanship that our customers have come to expect from our talented team."

OXFORD: Law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell has appointed three new partners and a further trio have been promoted to become senior solicitors. Chris Alder leads the professional regulatory team. He joined the firm following qualification in 2000. Chris Potts joined in 2001 and specialises in commercial disputes in the litigation and dispute resolution department. Manoj Styche-Patel works in the company commercial department and joined the firm in 1999. The senior solicitors are Nicola Fillery in the corporate team, who is highly experienced in admitting companies to regulated stock exchanges, including OFEX and AIM; Martin Hirst of the real estate team who joined the firm in 2004 and Joe Johnson in the corporate team.

HENLEY: CAS Marketing Communications has appointed Tanya Crapper to as marketing co-ordinator. She joins C.A.S. from the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service having graduated from Oxford Brookes University.

EYNSHAM: Bottle PR has announced a major expansion, a move to larger offices and several new appointments. It has appointed former Porter Novelli consultant James Ashe to head up its consumer services division. Experienced event planner Michelle Deer has also joined to take charge of Bottle Events, which includes co-ordinating the Oxfordshire Business Awards and the Henley Business Awards. Carole Scott and Gail Buckle will both bring a strong public sector background to the company. Also established is Bottle Creative, introducing a design service for clients. Joint managing director Claire Cairns said: "We are delighted with the way 2006 has started for Bottle."