Week ending 15 February 2013

ICAEW has announced Andrew Ratcliffe is to be the Institute's next vice president. Currently a partner at PwC, Ratcliffe will assume the role in June. An ICAEW member since 1980, he was chair of the Audit and Assurance Faculty in 2001 and chair of the Technical Strategy Board and a member of ICAEW's Board in 2005.

Guy Swarbreck has been made an audit partner at Smith & Williamson's assurance and business services team. Previously with UHY Hacker Young for 12 years - including two as partner - Swarbreck's speciality is in the financial services and natural resources sectors.

Scottish firm Alexander Sloan has appointed four to partner level. Phil Morrice, Steven Cunningham and Allison Devine have all been promoted from associates, while Kevin Booth has joined the firm after 12 years at French Duncan.

Mick Downs, is to join Saffery Champness, after almost 20 years at HMRC. Downs was technical specialist with responsibility for Inheritance Tax reliefs for National Heritage property at HMRC, before officially retiring last year. His role as consultant will be as part of the landed estates and rural business group within the firm.

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