AAB has promoted three directors to partners, Graeme Robertson and Gregor McCallan in Aberdeen and Natalie Boyle in Glasgow, expanding the partnership in Scotland. Robertson has over 30 years of experience, with deep sector knowledge of the energy sector, and is chair of the Energy Industry Finance Association (EIFA). McCallan originally joined the firm as a graduate and is a tax specialist, working on complex tax affairs and related restructuring and risk management. Boyle has built a strong reputation for navigating complex financial and operational challenges for clients, and is also head of the not-for-profit team. The appointments are part of over 70 promotions for team members and reflect the firm’s strong commitment to developing internal talent. Pictured: Graeme Robertson, Derek Mair, Gregor Mccallan

S&W has appointed Ben Sharpe as international tax partner in its business tax team, based in London. He brings more than 15 years of experience and is an international and corporate tax specialist who advises private equity (PE) and non-PE backed groups on domestic and cross-border transactions, structuring engagements and a wide range of business tax advisory matters. Chartered accountant Sharpe was previously an international tax director then partner at EY, where he first trained, and also spent seven years at PwC.

Ensors, part of Azets, has appointed Clare Goodswen as a private client partner in the Norwich office. Goodswen brings a wealth of tax experience and is a chartered tax advisor, providing support to high net worth individuals, supporting with complex tax planning, and trusts and estate planning. She is also a past chair of the East Anglian branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT). Previously she was a tax partner at M+A. 

Grant Thornton has appointed Ed Hammond and Camilla de Bernhard as directors in the public sector team focusing on governance and leadership. Both of them join from the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) bringing expertise in local authority scrutiny, policy, leadership and governance. Hammond was previously deputy chief executive of the CfGS, while de Bernhard was director of practice at the organisation, and has more than 20 years of experience working in public sector scrutiny and governance.

HaysMac has promoted Jack Williams to director in the R&D tax and advisory team. He brings nearly 10 years of experience working on tax technical and commercial strategy, specialising in R&D tax relief, advising high-growth businesses on how to maximise the value of their investment in innovation, and working closely with clients across sectors including creative, media and technology, fintech and life sciences. He started his career in engineering at Plessey before moving into tax.

PKF Francis Clark has promoted four new directors, Richard Drewitt, James Thomas, Nick Crandon and Angus Hunter. Drewitt specialises in audit and assurance, and is based in Poole, while Thomas works in business advisory, and both joined the firm as graduate trainees. Crandon is a business tax specialist covering Truro and Plymouth, and corporate finance specialist Hunter focuses on the renewable energy sector, based in Exeter. The firm was recently ranked 12th among the UK’s Best Large Workplaces for Development, reflecting its investment in training, mentoring and career progression.

Azets has strengthened its corporate finance team in the north east with the appointment of Dom Caunt. He brings 14 years of experience advising owner managed and SMEs, primarily across corporate finance and M&A. He has a broad skillset spanning private equity investment, transaction execution and strategic advisory, focusing on growth, investment and exit transactions. Caunt joins from Foresight Group where he was an investment manager, private equity.

Leonard Curtis has appointed Jamie Maddox as an associate director in the Manchester team, strengthening the firm’s advisory capabilities to clients across the North West. He brings more than 16 years’ experience spanning the full spectrum of formal insolvency appointments, including administrations, liquidations and voluntary arrangements. Previously he was an associate director at Opus Business Advisory Group.

ICAEW has given Malcolm Wood an honorary membership after his term of office on the board ended in June, only the 12th person ever to be given the honour by the institute. Elizabeth Hambley CB has been appointed as an independent non-executive ICAEW Board member, succeeding Wood for a three-year term. Hambley brings significant experience from her career in the legal profession and at the highest levels of government. She is currently Civil Service Commissioner and non-executive board member. She was previously a board member for the Government Legal Department, and director general for the Commercial, Trade and International Directorate.