Azets has hired Mark Bramley as an audit & assurance partner as part of continued strategic business growth. He has joined after 15 years as a partner at PwC in New Zealand and Europe. Relocating to Europe, Bramley will cover the London and south east region and be part-based at Azets’ London Bridge office. He has extensive experience in strategic leadership roles, market development, building high performance teams and strategies for sustainable profitable growth. He will provide audit and assurance services to listed corporates, public interest entities, multinationals and privately owned companies.

Albert Goodman has promoted director, Mike House to partner. He qualified with the firm back in 2005 and and predominantly advises owner-managed businesses and has a mixed portfolio of clients across a number of business sectors and regions. He works closely with business owners to provide accountancy, tax and business management advice, as well as advising individuals on personal tax matters. He joins the firm’s leadership team now standing at 21 partners, which is 48% female led.

Cumbrian firm, Saint & Co has promoted Sophie Graham and Alex Dunt to partner, joining the 11-strong partnership. Graham is an audit specialist while Dunt specialises in tax and advices clients on the structure of their businesses to ensure tax efficiency, as well as supporting the private client sector with tax planning, capital gains tax, trusts and inheritance tax. Both partners have been with the firm for more than eight years.

UHY Hacker Young has appointed Daniel Cooksley as director in its turnaround and recovery team in London. He brings 30 years of experience in the accounting industry where he specialises in business recovery and turnaround, including working with multiple businesses within the hospitality, health, construction, property, energy, and finance sectors. Previously he was a consultant at Sydney-based insolvency firm DW Advisory. He previously worked for Pitcher Partners for 13 years, a top 10 Australian accounting firm and member of Baker Tilly International. 

Henderson Loggie has appointed Donald Scott as director of its growing insolvency division. This is a strategic hire which marks a significant milestone in the firm’s expansion plans. He will assume a leadership role at the firm, overseeing the team of insolvency professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Scott brings a wealth of expertise and a track record of success to the new role. Previously he was a senior manager with professional services company SKSi, and prior to that, senior restructuring manager at KPMG.

PKF Francis Clark has strengthened its VAT and customs team with the appointment of Joe Francis as a director. Based at the firm’s offices in Southampton and Poole, he brings 20 years’ experience in taxation and has specialised in indirect taxes for the past 17 years. He joins from Grant Thornton and has spent most of his career with accountancy firms in the Southampton area. He will work with the firm’s marine specialists providing business support to British Marine, the membership organisation for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry.

PKF Smith Cooper has appointed Katie Dziewulski as employment tax manager at the Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm. In her new role, she will support the head of employment Tax in leading the employment tax team at PKF Smith Cooper and help business owners across the Midlands with tax compliance. Previously she had the same role at Gymshark and before that worked in practice at RSM in the employer solutions team.

Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has appointed Colin Johnson as corporate manager covering the north of England and Scotland. He joins BFS with more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector, most recently as head of corporate sales at Novuna Business Finance. Based in Manchester, Johnson will join a team dedicated to developing transactions for SMEs with turnover up to £100m supporting a range of funding requirements.

Invoice finance provider Optimum Finance has appointed Mike Jones as a senior relationship manager to further bolster the team. A former semi-professional sportsman, and with a Twickenham Cup Final to his name, Jone has almost 25 years’ experience in invoice financing and lending to growing businesses, most recently at Ultimate Finance. He specialises in underwriting and risk management, and has particular knowledge of the construction industry.

Paysend, the global payments platform, has appointed ex Ernst & Young auditor and American Express executive, Yuri Biondo as chief financial officer for the group’s US business. Based in Miami, he will report directly to the group CFO, Wilhelm Rohde, and work alongside US region managing director, Jairo Riveros. Previously he was global corporate controller at Tribal Credit in Miami after a period as vice president & controller for Latin America and Caribbean for Visa.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has elected Sarah Ghosh, FCMA, CGMA, as 90th president and co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which represents the combined membership of CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). During her year in office, Ghosh will help lead the organisation in driving innovation and transformation within the profession to ensure that it can keep up with the demands of a constantly changing business world. She is currently working as a finance professional in the Civil Service.

Kew Technology, a sustainable energy company, has appointed Simon Loveland as chief financial officer (CFO). He qualified as a chartered accountant at KPMG and has worked in finance throughout his 30-year career. Previously he was group financial director at M&J Evans Construction. He has worked for large PLCs such as BTR and Rolls-Royce, and private companies such as Veka UK and A.F. Blakemore & Son. He will work closely with CEO Kamal Kalsi and the senior leadership team to enhance the company’s financial proposition by leveraging his strong financial management capabilities and strategic leadership skills.