DFK International, the top ten global accountancy association, has appointed Demetris Demetriou as president, replacing the outgoing president Scott Hazy, who is a partner at Atlanta-based accounting firm Bennett Thrasher. who has completed his three-year term. Cyprus-based Demetriou said: ‘To be appointed president of DFK International really is an honour and a privilege, particularly being from a relatively small firm and country. As a partner of a small to medium-size firm, I am representative of the vast majority of our members and recognise the difference that they and the larger member firms together make as an association.’ DFK International has over 300 offices in more than 80 countries. He is co-founder of audit and accounting firm DFK Demetriou Trapezaris in Nicosia, Cyprus.

EY has strengthened its North West tax team with the appointment of executive director Gabrielle McParlin. He will lead EY’s tax controversy and risk management offering in the region, as well as support clients nationally. She joins the firm after  13 years with Deloitte. Prior to the Big Four firm, she was an advisory accountant at HMRC, specialising in advising large corporates and individuals on the management and resolution of complex disputes with tax authorities – both in the UK and worldwide, as well as helping businesses to improve their tax reporting standards and systems. McParlin is also experienced in specialist areas of tax dispute resolution, including HMRC challenges relating to sports clubs on image rights and agents fees.  

Admiral Group, the motor insurers, has appointed Geraint Jones as its chief financial officer. He joined the Group in 2002 and held a number of senior finance positions including head of finance, before being promoted to deputy CFO in January 2012.  He will take over from Kevin Chidwick who is handing over his CFO duties to focus solely on his role in the US as CEO of the Elephant Auto Insurance business. Jones is a fellow of the ICAEW and has also worked as an external auditor at EY and KPMG.

Aquilaheywood, the life and pensions administration software company, has appointed Jon Harston as group finance director. He joins from software and services company CSG International where he was EMEA finance director. Prior to CSG, he was financial planning and analysis manager with Siemens. He is a chartered accountant and ICAEW member, and has sixteen years’ experience in finance roles.

Jersey Finance has appointed Robert Christensen as the chairman replacing outgoing Jonathan White. He has 35 years’ experience in trust and company management services in  Jersey and has been managing director of Volaw Group since 1988. He was also instrumental in setting up Jersey Finance and served as a non-executive director from 2000 until 2008. He is also a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP).

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