Mitchell Charlesworth has promoted Alison Birch and Jerry Scriven to partner. Birch has become a VAT partner in the tax team after joining the firm in 2016 as a senior manager. She has extensive experience in dealing with VAT issues in a variety of sectors including retail, media, manufacturing and healthcare. Birch has also spent time overseas assisting a large business restructure its global supply chain and has recently been assisting businesses with the introduction of VAT in the Middle East. Scriven has become a partner in the firm’s corporate finance arm, MC Vanguard, based in Manchester. Before joining MC Vanguard in 2015, he worked in a variety of roles including time in industry acting as commercial director and finance director for different businesses.

David Murphy has joined Smith & Williamson as a director in its forensic services team in London. Murphy joins from BDO, where he spent 13-years advising clients on quantum and valuation issues in a number of high-profile commercial disputes and international arbitrations as well as conducting investigations. His experience spans sectors, including significant matters in the oil and gas, banking, construction and media sectors. Murphy has acted as expert witness and provided oral evidence under cross-examination.

BHP has expanded its forensic accounting and risk services team with the appointment of Emma Oakley as a senior manager. Oakley joins from PwC and is an ICAEW chartered accountant with 10 years’ experience having previously worked in both audit and forensic accounting where she latterly specialised in disputes surrounding merger and acquisition activity.

Luke Prout has joined Streets Chartered Accountants as a tax partner. Prout joins from a top 20 firm and has a particular interest in property and technology.

McLintocks Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors has promoted three employees in its Chester office as part of ongoing company expansion. The firm has seen Lynsey Jenkins promoted to associate director, Stephanie Saunders promoted to audit manager and Kate Williams promoted to the role of accounts manager.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has appointed Elizabeth Barrett as executive counsel and director of enforcement from 1 August 2018. She will be responsible for leading the FRC’s Enforcement Division and for decisions in relation to disciplinary proceedings involving auditors, accountants and actuaries. Barrett spent 30 years at Slaughter and May, including 27 years as a partner and was the firm’s head of its dispute resolution group between 2004 and 2008. She also advised the Treasury on a number of high-profile proceedings throughout the financial crisis and after, including the interventions in Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley.

Sarah Howard, head of public services at Grant Thornton, has become president of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). She succeeds Andy Burns, director of finance and resources at Staffordshire County Council, who has been in the role for the past year.

Caroline Morgan, a business analyst and long-standing board member, has been appointed as chair of IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed), replacing James Collings. Morgan has over 20 years’ experience as a business analyst, project manager and business change specialist in both the public and private sectors.

Report by Amy Austin