Forvis Mazars has appointed Martyne Pearson as a VAT partner in the tax practice, based in the London office. Pearson brings over 25 years of indirect tax experience and will focus on supporting mid market and international businesses across the consumer, travel, leisure and hospitality sectors. In her new role, she will lead the continued development of the London VAT team, strengthening the VAT offering and expanding its presence in key markets. Having started her career as a VAT inspector at HMRC, Pearson worked for Big Four firms and most recently was an indirect tax partner at BDO.

UHY Hacker Young has promoted Michelle Hughes to partner in its Kent offices. Hughes joined the firm in 2017 where she qualified as a chartered accountant. She has more than 10 years of experience and has been a key member of the audit and accounts team, gaining significant experience in sizeable and complex groups, including with overseas subsidiaries of corporate groups. Hughes is also known for her work with charities and other non-profit entities including academy schools.

Hurst Corporate Finance has appointed partner Ben Bradley as head of corporate finance, succeeding long-serving Nigel Barratt in a planned transition. Barratt will remain as a senior partner, supporting Bradley and providing strategic advice to clients. Chartered accountant Bradley joined the firm as a graduate trainee in 2011, working in the business services team, before joining the corporate finance business. He became a partner in 2023, and board member, and has broad experience on a range of transactions. In his new role, he will lead a team of M&A experts advising owner-managed companies and entrepreneurs across the UK.

Armstrong Watson has appointed Paul Russell as head of VAT and indirect tax, strengthening the firm’s specialist advisory capability across the north of England and Scotland. Russell joins with more than 27 years’ experience in VAT and other indirect taxes, having worked at HMRC for 16 years before moving into practice. His experience spans compliance, complex technical queries, strategic VAT planning and risk management, as well as high-value projects focused on identifying efficiencies, managing exposure and embedding robust VAT solutions. Previously he was a director at RSM in the indirect tax team.

RMT Accountants & Business Advisors has expanded audit team with appointment of Joe Mackie-Walsh as an associate director and Becky Barker as audit manager, based in the Gosforth office. Chartered accountant Mackie-Walsh brings over a decade of experience across a broad range of sectors, having originally trained at PwC before moving into business as a financial accountant at Atom Bank. He joins from UNW where he was a senior audit manager. He is also a member of the ICAEW learning and professional development board. Barker has over eight years of audit experience gained in practices in London and the north east, most recently as assistant audit manager at Azets, having trained at Mercer & Hole.

ICAEW has confirmed Peter Wyman CBE will continue for a second three-year term as chair of the board from October 2026, following council approval. Shamshad Ali, Richard Nunn and Mary Phibbs will also continue to serve as non-executive board members from June 2026, for a second three-year term. Wyman will focus on the continued implementation of the institute’s Strategy 2030 Direction and supporting members at a time of major challenge from geopolitical uncertainty to the threat and opportunities of AI for the profession.

R3 has appointed Sonia Jordan, a solicitor and partner at Knights, as president. She has more than 30 years’ experience advising on corporate restructuring and recovery, at the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade association. Jordan will work with the senior management team and council to help shape and deliver R3’s strategy and support day to day operations. She succeeds Tom Russell, a licensed insolvency practitioner and director at James Cowper Kreston. Jordan has been actively involved with R3 for many years, most recently as vice president.

Hammerson plc has announced chief financial officer Himanshu Raja plans to retire, and he will step down as CFO and as a director of the company on 12 August 2026, following publication of the half year results. After five years in the role and after a career spanning 40 years with 15 years as a listed company CFO, across a multitude of sectors, Raja has decided now is the right time for him to retire. ICAEW chartered accountant Raja started his career as a graduate trainee at Arthur Andersen, before moving into business, where roles included Group CFO at Countrywide and G4S. Richard Shaw, deputy CFO, will become interim CFO with the recruitment process underway.