Moore Kingston Smith has appointed Nick Thompson as head of corporate finance to head up a team of 35 financial professionals specialised in M&A, transaction services and debt advisory teams. He joined the firm in 2009 as a trainee accountant in the media division before becoming a partner in 2019 aged 30. In his new role, he will focus on fostering sustainable growth, strengthening the deal advisory services and encouraging development.

Thomas Coombs has promoted Shaun Pullan and Jordan Mitchell to directors. Pullan, head of business services, joined the Yorkshire accounting firm in 2014 through its apprenticeship scheme, and has set up an ‘outsourced’ finance team to assist clients with daily finance functions, while managing a diverse client portfolio. Mitchell, head of audit, joined in 2013 as a trainee accountant and handles some of the firm’s largest audit clients.

PKF Smith Cooper has promoted Callum Leslie to assistant corporate manager in the corporate finance team while Ali Raynor has been promoted to senior assistant manager, audit, and David Erentz, winner of ICAEW’s prestigious R J Weston Prize, becomes assistant audit manager. Meantime, Lauren Birkhead is promoted to business support manager and Will Quinn to assistant talent acquisition manager, strengthening the central operations of the firm.

Jo Ahmed, practice senior partner for Deloitte in the north west, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to business and trade. She first joined Deloitte in 2004 and has over 25 years’ experience in advising businesses on strategies for managing global workforces. Ahmed also heads up the firm’s regional global mobility practice, advising clients on the complex challenges of managing cross-border employment structures.

Dr Kay Linnell, forensic accountant, expert witness and key adviser to the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance has been recognised with an OBE, for her work on justice. She has been a long-time campaigner in the fight for justice for sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted in the Post Office Horizon scandal since 2012. Before setting up her own forensic firm KLL, Linnell worked at BDO and started her career as a chief investigating accountant at HMRC.

Mads Howard, manager at accounting software giant Sage UK was given an MBE for services to cyber security, recognising her exceptional contributions to cyber security and commitment to driving gender diversity in technology.

Praxity Alliance has made a board appointment to its global leadership team, with Andy Irvine, partner and managing director at Shorts Chartered Accountants named as a new board member, joining Steffen Ahrens and Jason Drake on the global governing council. Having chaired the UK conference for four years, Irvine’s appointment reflects his commitment to the future growth of Praxity, the largest alliance of independent accounting and consulting firms.