haysmacintyre has appointed Geoff Johnson as a partner in the financial services sector team. He brings a wealth of experience across all areas of audit, accounting and outsourcing, and has 17 years of financial services experience spanning hedge funds and captive insurance companies based in the Cayman Islands, Canada and now the UK working with FCA regulated managers on private equity and venture capital fund work. He has extensive knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS, and exposure to US GAAP. He joins from Blick Rothenberg where he was a partner.

AAB has appointed Leeds-based Mark Bain as partner in the virtual finance function (VFF) team. A chartered accountant with 20-plus years’ experience, he joins from U-Lve where he was chief operating officer and was previously managing partner at Hentons. He has particular expertise in finance technology and strategy and will provide tailored financial solutions to clients. The firm’s virtual finance service has a 35-strong team and provides outsourced financial support to businesses.

Gerald Edelman has appointed Rowan Lindsay as audit partner. With over 25 years of experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm, and will be a Responsible Individual in the audit team. He will play a pivotal role in guiding clients through the complexities of corporate reporting and compliance. His experience spans a range of sectors, including property, retail, e-commerce, hospitality, manufacturing and professional services. Previously he was a partner and head of audit and assurance at Nyman Libson.

Scrutton Bland, part of Sumer, has appointed Piers Harrison as a corporate services partner in the Colchester office. He joins the firm from BDO where he was a partner and has over 30 years of extensive experience in the accountancy sector, working with a diverse portfolio of clients across various sectors. His expertise spans from supporting pre-revenue startups to guiding venture and private-equity backed growth companies, as well as advising large international and public companies.

Quantuma has appointed restructuring expert, Tracey Pye as a managing director, joining the restructuring & insolvency team, based in Manchester. Pye is a qualified accountant and licenced insolvency practitioner who has an extensive restructuring and insolvency background, with sector expertise in retail, hospitality, automotive and professional financial services. Previously she was managing director at Storm Advisory, a boutique advisory practice based in Manchester.

RSM has appointed Caroline Le Jeune as private client tax partner, based in London. She is a highly experienced private client partner and chartered tax advisor, having spent over 25 years’ working in personal, inheritance and trust tax. She specialises in advising families with complex financial affairs in the UK and offshore. Le Jeune joins from Blick Rothenberg where she was head of private client tax. She began her career as a solicitor (now non-practising) and draws on her legal knowledge alongside her extensive tax expertise to ensure the best outcomes for clients.

RSM has appointed Michelle Bee as a business transformation director in the consulting team. Bee will lead on enhancing operating models for clients, helping them to better understand the customer experience, develop digital innovation strategies and embed the right technology. Previously she was a managing consultant at PA Consulting and has over 15 years’ experience advising on operating models. Bee is also committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders with a particular focus on women from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Evelyn Partners has hired Gary Fenemore as a tax director to support the growth of its tax offering across the north, based in the Manchester office. In his new role, he will work closely with business owners and entrepreneurs, providing end-to-end tax advice across the business lifecycle. This includes international expansion, transaction support, employee incentives and efficient restructuring. He joins from Alvarez and Marsal where he was an associate director. His appointment follows Evelyn Partners’ expansion in the region, with the firm acquiring three former Haines Watts offices in Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle.

Spencer Gardner Dickins has appointed Steven Mugglestone as an associate director. He is a registered auditor and will service both audit and general business clients and will draw upon his experience both in practice and working in industry in finance director roles. He originally trained and spent 13 years at Grant Thornton. Most recently he was associate director at Michael Harwood & Co.

Brooks Macdonald Group plc has appointed Katherine Jones as chief financial officer (CFO) and executive director with effect from 1 November 2024 at the wealth management firm. Jones has extensive experience in financial services and a strong track record of leadership and driving financial performance. Most recently she was group finance director at Phoenix Group Holdings. Prior to that, she held senior finance roles at Prudential and Just Group. She is a chartered accountant and began her career at KPMG.

ITM Power has appointed Amy Grey as CFO and she is expected to join the company’s board no later than March 2025. Grey has a wealth of experience and is a CIMA trained accountant. She will be joining from Sheffield Forgemasters, where she is CFO and was previously finance director. Before this, she held a range of senior management roles, including vice president of finance for Greenlane Renewables. She will replace Andy Allen, who will be taking on a different role at the company.

Trainee hires

Cowgills has taken on 14 graduates and school leavers and the recruits will be split across the Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool offices. As part of their training, they will join the firm’s highly successful Cowgills Academy, launched in 2022, which allows trainees to learn all aspects of accounting. They will rotate around the business, working with clients across all sectors, enabling them to choose the service area most suited to their skills.

Scrutton Bland has welcomed a new cohort of 10 trainees to its Ipswich and Colchester offices. As part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of the profession, these trainees will be joining their business advisory, corporate services, and tax teams as they work towards their AAT and ATT qualifications.

Robb Ferguson has hired five graduate trainee accountants to its team. They will embark on a rigorous training programme to become ICAS CAs, gaining on-the-job experience, working closely with experienced professionals across all departments and contributing to a wide range of client services.