Saffery has promoted Paul Binks to partner, based in the London office. Chartered accountant Binks has been with the firm since 2016 and advises a range of businesses including entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and UK and international groups, providing a wide range of compliance and advisory services. He is also member of the real estate practice group, and has built a strong international profile, working closely with member firms across Nexia’s global network. He originally trained at Kingston Smith.

Carpenter Box, part of Sumer Group, has appointed Kate Cooper as business advisory partner at its newly opened Southampton office serving the Solent region. Cooper will work closely with audit partner Peter Reading, head of the Solent offices, to build business across the region. Chartered accountant Cooper brings more than 20 years’ experience helping businesses navigate their finances and joins from HJS Accountants where she was a client director, having trained at Baker Tilly.

Xeinadin has appointed Nick Donohue as tax partner in the north west based across the Manchester and Stockport offices. Chartered tax adviser Donohue brings more than 30 years’ experience and specialises in optimising tax reliefs and advising owner manager businesses on all areas of direct taxation. In his new role he will advise OMBs, entrepreneurs and private clients on tax planning, risk and the tax implications of major business decisions. Previously he was a tax partner at Cooper Parry.

HaysMac has appointed Sandeep Sharma as director in its risk assurance and advisory services (RAAS) team. Sharma joins as a senior leader with over 20 years’ experience across industry and consultancy, specialising in technology risk, cyber security and operational resilience. Having previously worked for Deloitte, PwC and, most recently, as a director at Forvis Mazars, Sharma has advised organisations across multiple sectors, helping leadership teams strengthen resilience, manage complex risks and navigate an evolving threat landscape. 

FRP has appointed valuation specialist Stephen Skeels as consultant director in the financial advisory team. Based in London, Skeels will work with the wider financial services sector team to grow the FS valuation practice, advising clients on transactions and contentious matters where an independent opinion is required. With close to 40 years’ experience, previously he was a partner and global head of valuations at Forvis Mazars where he spent almost two decades. His work focused on mid-market corporates and public companies, specialising in regulated valuation matters related to the Takeover Code and listing rules as well as acting as an expert witness in contentious matters.

Attune has appointed Andrew Dool as its first chief operating officer, and he will focus on people, technology and growth. He will help build the team and develop the accountancy firm’s use of technology and modern ways of working to improve the client experience. Dool brings 15 years of experience across a career spanning technology, retail and FTSE 250 Greene King. Previously he was chief of staff at education technology business Wonde, leading operations, projects and information security. Attune was previously One Bean Limited before rebranding earlier this year. Pictured: Andrew Dool

Alexander & Co has hired nine apprentices and graduates, its largest ever intake of trainees. The Manchester-based accountancy firm, which is marking its 50th year as an independent firm, will see eight of the new hires working across tax, audit and accounting, with one apprentice in business administration. The trainees will learn from experienced professionals while gaining real client experience, and training for professional qualifications.

Goodman Jones has welcomed six trainees to the firm as part of its 2026 intake. The early-careers programme provides both university graduates and school leavers with routes into the accountancy profession and the firm has a total 24 trainees. The trainee programme offers two early-careers pathways with university graduates joining through the three-year ICAEW ACA route and school leavers can join through the Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) route, which typically lasts between 18 and 24 months.