BDO has appointed partner Mark Sykes as head of consulting, to head up the consulting division, stepping up from his role as head of entrepreneurial business. David Lewis joins as a tax dispute resolution partner in the private client services team in London. He has over 25 years’ experience in investigative tax, and joins from Forvis Mazars where he was head of tax dispute resolution. James Dye has been appointed as a tax partner in the employment tax services business in the southern region based in the Reading office. Previously he was a tax director at Deloitte.

RPGCC has appointed Adam Thompson as private client tax partner and promoted Anand Chandarana to corporate tax partner in the private client services team. Thompson brings nearly 20 years of experience in private client tax strategy, estate and trust planning, and cross-border issues, most recently as tax director at Verfides. Chandarana joined the firm in 2024 and specialises in delivering complex corporate tax solutions.

Wbg has appointed Benny Higgins as chairman to succeed Lorna Jack, who is stepping down from the role. Higgins is currently chair of N4 Partners, the Glasgow investment firm with a majority shareholding in the Scottish accountancy firm. He brings decades of financial services experience, having begun his career at Standard Life as an actuary, before moving to RBS to become chief executive of retail banking and was CEO of Tesco Bank from 2010 to 2018. He is chair of Oxygen Conservation, Buccleuch and National Galleries of Scotland. Jack has joined N4’s advisory board, and is also chair of Highlands and Islands Airports and vice chair of Scottish Funding Council.

AAB has appointed Mark Lappin as head of tax to lead the tax practice, focusing on complex client needs across multiple service lines. He has 25 years of experience in tax advisory and commercial leadership, and joins from EY where he was an associate partner in the tax division.

Xeinadin has appointed Victoria Dadswell as tax partner and Clare Fisher as senior tax manager in the Lancashire team. Dadswell brings over 20 years of tax advisory expertise, having qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser in 2006, and joined the firm in April from MHA where she was a tax director. Fisher has over 20 years of experience and specialises in tax advisory services, and also joins from MHA where she was a senior tax manager.

BCLP has appointed David Klass as a partner in the tax advice and controversy practice, at the London office of the international law firm. Klass maintains a broad tax practice, covering corporate and commercial transactions, debt financing, restructurings and reorganisations, and tax advisory work. His arrival follows partner Simon Letherman joining the tax practice group. Klass began his legal career at Slaughter and May and has since held partnership roles, most recently at Hill Dickinson.

Johnston Carmichael Wealth has appointed Leigh Townsley as a chartered financial planner in its Glasgow office. She brings over 25 years of experience in financial services, including 18 years as a qualified financial planner. Previously she was a CFP at Lomond Wealth, specialising in complex financial planning for rural and agricultural clients.

Diageo has appointed Deirdre Mahlan as interim chief financial officer, effective 18 August 2025, replacing Nik Jhangiani who has become CEO at the drinks giant following the resignation of Debra Crew. Mahlan brings extensive spirits industry and consumer goods experience in executive and board positions. Her career includes 27 years at Diageo, including as CFO from 2010 to 2015. Most recently she served as interim president, CEO and chair of the Duckhorn Portfolio, and is a non executive director at Kimberly-Clark. Mahlan originally trained at PwC in the US.

Smiths News has appointed Richard Clay as CFO and board director to replace outgoing Paul Baker who is leaving the listed business. Clay has extensive experience in senior finance and strategic roles, and joins from Zigup plc where he is interim CFO and UK&I group finance director. Previously he held several finance director and CFO roles at Barclays, in the business and corporate banking divisions. Clay is a chartered accountant and began his career with Deloitte in the corporate finance division. 

Tristel has appointed of Anna Wasyl as CFO with effect from 1 September, succeeding Liz Dixon, who has stepped down after having been with the group since 2007. Wasyl brings a rare blend of operational, strategic, and financial expertise, with over 20 years of experience across publicly listed and venture-backed companies. She joins from CMR Surgical, where she was chief commercial partnerships and operations officer, having previously held the role of group CFO. Chartered accountant Dixon, who originally trained at BDO, is planning to move into non executive director roles.

Gooch & Housego has appointed Martin Hopcroft as interim CFO, while it searches for a permanent replacement after current CFO Chris Jewell announced he was stepping down and will leave the business in September. Hopcroft has significant experience supporting listed companies through transition periods, and will take executive responsibility for the finance function. Hopcroft joined G&H in 2019, and previously was a director of Quaestors. He is a chartered accountant and originally trained at KPMG.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has appointed Linda Ford as chief executive officer, succeeding Sara Drake, who has led the institute since 2019. Ford brings over 15 years of experience in leadership, membership growth and transformation across the professional and regulatory landscape. She was most recently CEO and registrar of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). In her new role, Ford will work closely with members, staff and stakeholders to drive relevance, growth and impact as organisations navigate challenges of the impact of AI, growing cyber risks and instability affecting global governance.

The Financial Ombudsman Service has named Liam Coleman as interim chair of the board to replace Baroness Zahida Manzoor. Coleman has over 30 years’ extensive financial services, public sector and board experience. This is an interim appointment after six-month search for replacement by Financial Conduct Authority did not find a suitable permanent candidate. Coleman is chair at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and housing group L&Q, and audit chair of the FCA. Previously he was CEO of Co-operative Bank, deputy group treasurer at RBS and group director, treasury at Nationwide Building Society.