Search Engine Optimisation

We are looking for an experienced SEO professional with a proven track record of success in this area and who can provide references. We already have a relatively high rank but want to increase it and also to maintain it thereafter. The market we are in is very competitive and we are up against some big market-players. We do use pay-per-click but would like to reduce this. We are aware that there are a large number of SEO people 'out there' so it is essential that only those who are highly experienced and who keep up-to-date with search engine techniques apply. To be more specific - the brief is:-
Improve search position
blog marketing - create and design blog
Submission of articles provided by us to relevant article websites
Competitor link analysis and building
Ideally local to the East Sussex area.