The Banner Jones growth strategy continues apace with two further senior appointments.

Toby Netting joins the Sheffield office from Watson Esam as Partner and Head of Family. Toby has over ten years experience in divorce and financial proceedings and is currently the only male collaborative lawyer in the city.

He is joined by Richard Barlow, who also moves from Watson Esam, to add further strength to the Private Client team in Chesterfield. Richard will provide advice with regard to wills, probate, tax planning and advice to the elderly.

Chris Sellars, partner at Banner Jones, said: "We are delighted to welcome Toby and Richard to Banner Jones as we continue to expand and strengthen our team."

Financial planning firm, the Taylor Oliver Partnership, has expanded to new offices in Dunston, Chesterfield.

“We needed to accommodate our rapid growth and provide our clients with the facilities they expect from a professional financial planning firm,” said partner Louise Oliver.

“We spent a lot of time consulting with our clients and professional partners as to what they would want as we expand the business. The move to a modern new office with excellent facilities and plenty of parking seemed to be the popular choice.”

Fellow Partner Steve Taylor added: “The move five minutes south of Sheffield was much more preferable to trying to get into the city centre or across town. The majority of our business activity will continue to be in Sheffield as we promote the value of financial planning to an ever growing number of people.”

Sheffield United is the only football club in the country to be nominated as a regional finalist in the 2008 National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange.

The club has been shortlisted in the North East category for the Corporate Social Responsibility Award in recognition of their extensive community programme.

The nomination follows the club’s launch of The United Initiative, a new community outreach division which manages the Blades’ on-going strategy to support regeneration in South Yorkshire.

The United Initiative is involved with a number of local and national projects including, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Positive Futures, Football League Trust, Football Foundation, Youth Association for South Yorkshire, Football Unites Racism Divides, the Fit for School programme, KICKZ football programme initiative, the Government’s Every Child Matters agenda, the Prince’s Trust, Sheffield United Community Trust and Matchmaker.

Sheffield-based ECS Insurance Brokers Ltd, one of the region’s leading providers of insurance and risk management advice and support, has been awarded the Chartered Insurance Institute’s prestigious ‘Chartered Insurance Brokers’ title.

Chartered status is only awarded to firms which meet rigorous criteria relating to professionalism and capability. All Chartered Insurance Brokers commit to the CII’s Code of Ethics & Conduct reinforcing high standards of practice in their business dealings.

ECS managing director, Jason Reynolds, who for many years has held the individual Chartered Insurance Broker title personally, said that securing Chartered Insurance Brokers status was a landmark for his company.

He said: “We pride ourselves on being thoroughly professional in everything we do, and to receive external recognition in this way is very gratifying. As Chartered Insurance Brokers, we can signal our commitment to the highest levels of service to our customers.”