BDO has promoted Robert Aziz to global head of tax and Stephanie Wilson to national head of employment tax. Aziz, who joined the firm in 2002, has experience in international corporate tax, having set up the UK firm’s corporate international team in 2006. He takes over from John Wonfor, who has been in the global position for seven years. John has returned to BDO Canada as the national tax office leader. Wilson joined the firm in 2015 and provides employment tax advice to fast-growth, ambitious businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. Her particular area of expertise is in managing employment costs and mitigating employment tax risk. She takes over from Teresa Payne who has been promoted to head of people.

Smith Cooper has appointed Geoff Cousins as a specialist advisory consultant. Cousins was formerly managing director at Jaguar Land Rover. He now acts as a visiting professor at the University of South Wales, a non-executive director of Performance Communications as well as managing director of his own business consultancy.

Toby Stephenson joins MHA MacIntyre Hudson as a partner in its Birmingham office. Stephenson was previously a Partner with BDO and has over 25 years of experience in audit, financial reporting and business advisory services. He specialises in in working with and advising growing entrepreneurial and private equity backed companies and UK subsidiaries of international parents with specific sector expertise in hotels & leisure, manufacturing, wholesale & distribution, and the service industry.

Louise Smyth has been appointed as chief executive of Companies House and The Registrar of Companies for England and Wales. She will take up leadership of the organisation in September 2017 and joins Companies House from a long career at the Intellectual Property Office, including roles as director of IT, director of corporate services and latterly as chief operating officer.

The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has appointed Robert Branagh as its president with effect from 2 August. He succeeds from Kevin LeGrand, whose tenure began in July 2015. Brangh has worked in both the private and public sector, for insurance, trustee, and private equity owned companies, charities and a professional services firm. Since 2013, he has developed a portfolio of Trustee and non-executive roles in financial services.

Royal London has appointed Olivia Dickson as a non-executive director. She has previously held a number of roles with J.P. Morgan and has worked as a senior adviser to the Financial Services Authority. She is currently is a non-executive director of the Financial Reporting Council where she chairs the Actuarial Council.