COWLEY: A new managing director is moving in to take charge of the Mini plant. Oliver Zipse will take over from Dr Anton Heiss on January 1 next year. Mr Zipse, 42, is currently responsible for strategies, targets and control of production network' for the production division of Mini parent firm BMW. Before that he was based at the BMW Plant Rosslyn in South Africa. He joined the company in 1991. Dr Heiss, 49, has spent three years as managing director at the plant, during which time Mini production has grown to more than 200,000 cars a year. He is currently overseeing the launch of the second generation Mini, following a £100m investment which has created 200 jobs. Dr Heiss will be starting his new job as managing director of BMW's plant in Regensburg, Germany in January.

MILTON PARK: Zonal Retail Data Systems has won a £500,000 contract to supply its EPoS (electronic point of sale) terminals to regional brewer Hall & Woodhouse. The terminals will be installed in up to 60 pubs, with the project set for completion at the end of 2007. Up to four terminals will be installed at each of the pubs, which are spread across Dorset, London, Sussex and Devon. Managing director Stuart McLean said: "It is good news for everyone involved with Zonal and further cements our position as one of the UK's leading EPoS companies."

WITNEY: Managers at Telectra are celebrating after its Beadlight lighting technology was granted its first patent. This system has been incorporated into thousands of first class and business class LED aircraft seat reading lights over the last four years. Managing director Pat Wisby said: "This is the first patent of a number filed in our desire to push the boundaries of LED applications. The recognition will allow us to work more closely with our partners in developing LED products requiring the highest quality light." Beadlight technology won the Oxfordshire Business Awards innovation category in 2005.

MILTON PARK: Tony Longstaff has been appointed as new managing director of the MEPC Milton Park business development, and will also be appointed to the main board. Mr Longstaff previously worked as chief executive at the centre:mk, formerly the Shopping Centre, Milton Keynes, for 13 years, overseeing its rebranding and relaunch.

Mr Rick de Blaby, chief executive of MEPC, said: "Milton Park is already established as one Europe's leading business and science parks and its ongoing development will be an integral part of the repositioning of the South Oxfordshire region which is currently underway. Tony has proven his ability to manage a large real estate holding, and it is this expertise that will crystallise our vision for Milton Park and, indeed, the region."

SOUTH OXON: Former Wallingford bank manager Ian Geddes is branching out by launching a specialist oven cleaning business, Ovenu. Mr Geddes, 46, will be serving householders in the South Oxfordshire area, including Didcot, Wallingford and Abingdon. He has taken over from previous franchisee, Frank Burton, who is moving out of the area. Mr Geddes said: "I wanted a complete change of direction and wanted to become my own boss. I looked at different franchises but Ovenu appealed to me the most."

Mr Geddes worked in Wallingford with the NatWest bank between 1992 and 2001.

OXFORD: Hairdresser Anne Veck has been named International Artist of the Year by hair extension firm American Dream. The contract will involve Ms Veck undertaking photoshoots and platform work as the face of the company throughout the year. She runs her own in-house training in hair extensions and has presented her creations on stage at Salon International and at The Alternative Hair Show.

BANBURY: Berry Morris Chartered Surveyors has appointed Tim Russell to its commercial team. Mr Russell, who graduated from Reading University three years ago and has been a qualified chartered surveyor for several is returning home to Banbury after a spell working in Yorkshire. He said: "I am looking forward to dealing with existing clients and further developing the department in the Banbury region."

OXFORD: Employment law specialist Dharmender Singh Sall has joined law firm Marshall and Galpin. Mr Sall joins partners Stephen Woods and James Stonham in the firm's employment department, as part of a strengthening of the team to reflect the growing importance of employment law, particularly the new age discrimination legislation. He said: "We believe our expertise will help clients through what could be a minefield for the unwary."

HENLEY: The Landmark Information Group, a provider of land and property search information, has expanded into Europe with the launch of Landmark Nederland BV.

Based at Bunnik, near Utrecht, Landmark Nederland will provide access to nationally collated property and environmental information for Dutch residential properties.

Landmark has been working closely with the Dutch government and municipalities to make relevant environmental information more readily available for homebuyers, sellers and property professionals. Stephen Stout, Landmark's group managing director, said: "This is significant as we make our first step into Europe and begin to realise our ambitions to become Europe's leading provider of property-related environmental and mapping services to both industry and government."

UPPER HEYFORD: IT firm Active Media Business Solutions has been appointed a Microsoft Certified Partner. The quality standard will help attract customers looking for assurance the AMBS team has the appropriate technical capabilities for their requirements. Managing director Peter Greenway said: "Certified Partner status demonstrates unequivocally that we have the required degree of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies to assure project success for our clients."

KIRTLINGTON: Designer and former head of graphics at ITV, Darren Walker, has joined online media advertising agency MediaLeap to work on state-of-the-art design, video and animation techniques used to enhance websites and online advertising. In his new role as media developer, Mr Walker will produce graphics and videos for websites and online advertising. A graduate in media and design, he spent ten years at ITV Meridian in Southampton, where he was made head of news graphics. Mr Walker said: "There are so many possibilities for online design, it is an exciting medium and I'm looking forward to working with clients to help them with their website and advertising needs."

COWLEY: Chris Lewis Security Services won the Best IT Initiative category at the Security Excellence Awards. The awards recognise the achievements of individuals and companies from across the security industry. Managing director Chris Lewis said: "Over the last year we have implemented lots of new customer service processes and training initiatives, as well as investing heavily in tools and infrastructures, to significantly improve our operations and service."

WITNEY: Recruitment agency Westaff has appointed Liz Robinson to head its permanent division at its office in the town's West Green. Ms Robinson has more than 20 years' experience in the industry and will develop a growing need to match permanent employees with local employers. She said: "Fulfilling demand for permanent contracts has always been competitive, but it's ultimately all about developing solid business relationships."

OXFORD: Samuel-Dean McMurran has joined the Royal Bank of Scotland as new Business Development Manager. Mr McMurran, who recently moved to the area from Bristol, brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously had a successful career within management consultancy.

Based at the Oxford branch, his main responsibility will be to build relationships with brokers, solicitors and accountants and support business customers in the local area, by putting them in touch with a business manager who can help with their financial requirements. He said: "I am delighted to take up my new duties and look forward to meeting new clients over the coming months."