RSM International has appointed Gregor Schmidt as European regional leader. In his new role, Schmidt will drive RSM’s global strategy within the region, focused on developing member firm growth and increasing cross-border client services. Schmidt joined RSM’s German member firm as chief operating officer in 2012 before becoming chief officer of strategy, markets and communications in 2016. Recently, he played a key role in the merger of RSM’s German firms, and the creation of RSM GmbH; a single-practising entity, and platform for future consolidation and growth.

Haines Watts has announced three new appointments to its national board, including its first new group managing partner in 14 years. The appointments are Michael Davidson, who will take over as group managing partner, Darren Holdway who will take on the redefined role of group chairman and Donna Bulmer, the newest member of the national board, all positions are effective immediately. Davidson and Holdway have each been with the firm for over 25 years, beginning as trainees and growing up through the business. Bulmer, has been with the firm over 20 years, having joined as a graduate.

Jessica Wills has been promoted to partner at PKF Littlejohn after joining the firm in 2003. She is head of PKF Littlejohn’s internal audit team and leads the development and provision of the firm’s governance, risk and internal control services to clients. Wills focuses on the financial services industry, with a particular interest in insurance companies, and has experience of working across other complex sectors. She is a member of ICAEW, the Insurance Internal Audit Group and an affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (CIIA).

Matthew Upex and Matt Storey have both been promoted to partner at Moore Thompson. Storey, previously a manager at the firm, will advise clients in Spalding under his new role, while Upex will take up a position as the resident partner in Market Deeping, where he was previously a manager.

Smith & Williamson has appointed Mark Benka as a partner in its transaction services team. Benka joins the London office from PwC, and brings 17 years of deal experience, which were focused on advising private equity houses. His previous roles included the responsibility for providing financial due diligence and deal related services across a wide range of industry sectors and also for the relationships with a number of mid-market private equity clients. 

Mike Dyer joins Quantuma as business development manager from Leonard Curtis and Tanja Waack from CVR Global as a senior administrator. Both join the companies’ Bristol office.

Charlotte Berneye, Emma Herrity, Maurice Abraham and Sam Weston have each been promoted at Grunberg & Co. Berneye has now taken up the position of assistant manager in the audit and accounts department, having worked at the firm since 2012. Tax adviser Herrity will fulfil the role of tax manager having only recently joined the practice from a top 10 practice in Ireland. Weston will also take on a new role in the tax team, moving from the position of tax junior to tax semi-senior. Abraham will take on the position as head of unincorporated businesses.

BDO has appointed Gurpal Ahluwalia as a partner in its M&A advisory team in it London office. Ahluwalia will lead on commercial due diligence in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, as well as focusing on growth strategy projects. He joins BDO following four years at KPMG and prior to that, the Boston Consulting Group. Ahluwalia qualified as a Doctor in 2002, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery at a number of leading NHS hospitals. Throughout his varied career, he has been responsible for project delivery across a range of sectors including med-tech, pharma, healthcare and social care.

Donald McNaught, currently a partner, has been promoted to head of restructuring at Johnston Carmichael. McNaught takes over from Matt Henderson who joined the firm in 2006. In that time the team has grown from five people across two locations, to 25 people across four locations.

Report by Amy Austin