Hodson began her working life at the Ashford Kent office of Azets, when it was Wilkins Kennedy, starting out as an audit and accounts trainee in 2005 and completed her ACCA qualification in 2009, before becoming director of client services in 2020, and a partner in 2023.

As office managing partner, Hodson will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Azets’40-strong team in Ashford, as well as leading on business development and client service.

She takes over from Rick Schofield, who has been appointed head of risk and quality for the UK tax team – a role he will carry out alongside his existing client commitments – after five years as the office managing partner in Ashford. 

Hodson said: ‘I’m delighted to be taking over from Rick and to be building on the strong foundations he created within our close-knit team in Ashford.

‘Kent is a fantastic place to do business. That’s evident from the fact the county is home to everything from farms and vineyards to manufacturers and digital innovators, and everything in between.

‘Firms in the region are forward-thinking and incredibly ambitious and I’m really looking forward to playing a bigger role supporting them, our team, and the wider business community in the months and years ahead.’

Nick Parrett, southern regional managing director at Azets, said: ‘Katie’s an excellent technician, committed to first-rate client service and looking after and developing our team, and is well-known and well-respected across the local and regional business community.

‘All of the team in Ashford and across the Azets Southern Region are looking forward to working with her in her new role – and wish her well as she takes the reins from Rick.’

In Kent, Azets has offices in Ashford, Maidstone and Canterbury, while the wider southern group is spread across the south of the country with sites in Beaconsfield, Bicester, Godalming, Heathrow, Hertford, Kettering, London, Newbury, Peterborough, Poole, Portsmouth, Sidcup, Southampton, Southend, Witney and Thame.