EY-Parthenon has appointed Mike Parr as transaction strategy & execution (TS&E) leader in the UK and Ireland. He replaces Alex Gaunt who, after 25 years with EY and seven years as TS&E Leader, retires from the business. Parr has been with EY for 24 years, having originally joined as a graduate, and has a background in financial and commercial due diligence. As well as leading on high profile client accounts, he has also been co-lead of EY’s Reshaping Results connected capital solution, which helps companies solve complex and critical business issues by focusing on value creation.

DFK UK & Ireland has appointed Mark Ashfield as chair of the national association of independent accountancy firms, replacing Peter O’Connell who was appointed in November 2021. He is managing director at Coventry and Leamington-based accountancy firm Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O). The appointment comes after HB&O was named firm of the year by DFK UK & Ireland’s members. He will focus on developing the group’s vision and values, and enhancing the benefits of DFK membership for existing and future member firms.