Any question answered...

Yes - see Golden Ocean Group Ltd v Salgaocar Mining Industries PVT Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 265 in which a name at the end of an email was held to constitute a signature for the purposes of the Statute of Frauds 1677. In any event, unless it's a guarantee or a contract for the sale of land, or another type of contract where the law requires specific formalities before a contract can arise, there's no requirement for a signature in order to create a legally-binding contract. The fact that they've returned it and said they've signed it shows that they've agreed to its terms.

I have to return my contract of employment, work have said I need to print it, sign it, then scan that and email it - would your above statement indicate that I can actually return it as an attachment with "I agree, Neil" in the email body? Would save a lot of hassle.