Mazars has promoted Greig Simms and Dave Hilton to partner after both joined the firm as trainees. Simms is a tax partner specialising in corporate tax, with expertise in the infrastructure and property sectors. Hr has a wide range of experience across both compliance and advisory services, including due diligence and structuring. Hilton is a Corporate Finance Partner, specialising in lead advisory and project management. He has experience of a wide range of sell and buy-side corporate finance transactions, including VIMBOs, MBOs, and corporate acquisitions and disposals, across a range of sectors including engineering, leisure and support services.

RSM has appointed Elaine Shiels as private client tax partner in Birmingham. She joins the firm following 28 years with EY. Although she will be based in its Birmingham office, her remit will expand to support the firm’s national growth plan. Shiels has advised a full range of companies and individuals from FTSE institutions and SME organisations, through to high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs. She also worked for HMRC for four years prior to joining EY. The firm has also appointed Ewan Grant as managing partner of its Edinburgh office. Grant has been with the business for over 20 years. He is a prominent adviser in the market and has acted for a range of AIM-listed companies, multi-national groups, owner-managed businesses on sales and acquisitions, disposals, fund raising, mergers, buy-outs and stock exchange listings. He takes over from Stephen Hay who retired at the end of March after three years in post and 19 years with the firm.

William Payne has been appointed as a senior partner at Wilkins Kennedy. He replaces David Fenn who has held the post since May 2011. Payne has been a partner at Wilkins Kennedy since 2003. He holds directorships at several public and private companies, and is also the firm’s ethics partner.

Paul Winwood has been made a director at BHP after gaining Responsible Individual status by the ICAEW. He joined BHP’s graduate scheme in the firm’s Sheffield office in 2006 and now looks after an extensive portfolio of clients including regional manufacturers, digital companies, construction firms, SMEs and pension schemes.

Price Bailey has promoted Richard Grimster to tax partner in its Cambridge office. He advises family businesses as well as larger corporates on a range of international, capital and transactional taxes.

Whittingham Riddell has promoted James Clark to tax director after 14 years at the firm. He leads the firm's specialist Tax Consultancy team; providing advice on a wide range of business and taxation matters including corporate restructures, inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning, share and business valuations, R&D and capital allowances claims, and business incorporations.

Robin Evans has been made partner at MHA Carpenter Box. He joined the firm back in 2002 as a senior manager and has now progressed to partner following a stint as a departmental director in the firm’s assurance and advisory group. Evans previously worked for BDO in London before moving to a Brighton practice. Prior to joining MHA Carpenter Box he took the role of internal auditor for The Body Shop, and has gained a vast amount of experience in audit work both in practice and in industry over the years. 

Report by Amy Austin