Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
istock_sanjeri

Practice news: ICAS appoints new president

by
25th Apr 2016
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

A round-up of the latest news, appointments, executive moves and acquisitions from the world of practice during April 2016.

ICAS appoints new president

25 April - Ken McHattie, the chair of energy company Aurora petroleum, has been appointed president of ICAS.

Since qualifying as a CA in 1978, McHattie became a partner in the Aberdeen law firm Ledingham Chalmers, before joining Energy Development Partners as finance director in 2005. McHattie has served on the council of ICAS and as vice-president and deputy president, and replaces outgoing president Jim Pettigrew.

Commenting at the AGM meeting after he was confirmed president, McHattie said: "Our mission is to build the leading global professional community and I look forward to working tirelessly over the next 12 months on behalf of our 21,000 members to lead the next stage of delivering our ambitious plans."

* * *

ICAEW appoints COO

25 April – ICAEW has named the executive director for professional standards Vernon Soare as its new chief operating officer.

Commenting on Soare’s appointment, ICAEW chief executive Michael Izza hailed Soare for creating the new ICAEW regulatory board and how he has led the ICAEW’s move into legal services. Soare has

Soare said: “ICAEW has changed a lot over the last ten years, making the transition to an international body headquartered in the UK. We’re now completing our strategy review which will set out the direction we take in the next ten years. It’s an exciting time to take on this new role and with the challenge it will provide.”

Sharron Gunn, ICAEW executive director commercial, changes her role to executive director members, commercial & shared services.

* * *

UHY Hacker Young appoints new managing partner

18 AprilUHY Hacker Young has selected Laurence Sacker as the new managing partner, and replaces Ladislaw Hornan, who has held the past for over 20 years.

Sacker joined the firm in 1998, and has since led the firm’s growth in AIM offering. Prior to his new appointment, Sacker served as corporate finance partner. Hornan remains on the board of UHY’s international network and will take up a business development role.

Commenting on his appointment, Sacker said: “I’m delighted to be taking over the role of managing partner to help continue to build on its success.”

“In recent years, we’ve grown considerably both in terms of our size and our standing as a leading UK accountancy network, as well as on the global stage through our international network.”

* * *

Baldwins expands into the north east

13 April: Baldwins’ latest acquisition of Rowlands accountants in the north east is its 14th in the last 12 months, and takes its annual turnover to around £40m.

Rowlands staff will be incorporated into Baldwins, which now has over 550 staff. This acquisition has enabled Baldwins to launch launched Baldwins Restructuring & Insolvency, which will be rolled out across all 26 offices.

David Baldwin, Director at Baldwins, said Rowlands was part of their detailed 2016 acquisition plan, since they are the largest in the north east. He said: “Bringing together two strong regional brands means we are adding new services to their clients including payroll, auto enrolment, banking and insurance services, and corporate finance as well as adding value to Rowlands’ existing specialist tax offerings.”

* * *

GT increases business support team

11 April - GT has bolstered its business support services with two partner appointments.

Keely Woodley, who joined GT in May 2005 and has progressed through the firm to director, and Usman Malik, who currently heads up the firm’s National Facilities Management sector team, have been promoted to the firm’s Business support services group.   

Marc Summers, Industry Leader for Business Support Services at Grant Thornton UK said: “We have developed a strong position in the market and this move will further cement our place and, through their combined leadership, experience and dedication, allow us to continue to offer a quality service to our clients and unlock sustainable growth in dynamic organisations."

* * *

From South Africa to Birmingham: Deloitte strengthens audit team

11 April - Deloitte Birmingham has boosted its audit team with the appointment of Ryan Duffy.

Duffy has relocated to the Birmingham office after working in the firm’s offices in Luxembourg, US and recently South Africa. He brings with him 20 years’ experience, which includes overseeing the audit practice in Nigeria and Ghana.

Speaking about his appointment, Duffy said: “When we first discussed relocating to Birmingham, there were a number of people who said they thought it was a good match for us, both professionally for me and personally for us as a family.”  

* * *

EQ Accountants promotes new partner

9 April – Scottish firm EQ Accountants has promoted Mark Smeaton as its new partner.

Since qualifying seven years ago with ACCA, Smeaton has specialised in agricultural services, which is something that remains his passion. EQ accountants LLP has over 100 staff and 14 partners across four offices in Scotland.  

Commenting on his appointment, Smeaton said: “EQ have been very supportive of me during my career and it’s a great privilege to be offered partnership.” 

* * *

Trainee rises to partner

8 April – Cumbria based firm Armstrong Watson has promoted corporate director Andrew Kennon to partner.

Kennon joined the firm straight from school as a trainee in 1998. After gaining his AAT, Kennon qualified as a chartered accountant.

Managing partner Paul Dickson said: “Andrew has continued to fulfil his potential as a rising star within the audit and assurance team.

* * *

Clive Owen strengthens payroll team

4 April - Clive Owen has restructured its business creating Clive Owen managed services to help its SME clients managed payroll, auto enrolment and accounting standards.

The firm has strengthened its senior team with two new senior managers to spearhead the payroll and auto enrolment services. Carole Wilson joins the team from Vantec (UK) Ltd as a senior manager. Wilson brings 30 years’ experience in payroll, and has spent time developing new features and managing year-end for Sage customers. Debbie Frei will oversee the five payroll administers as the new payroll manager.

Kevin Shotton, a partner at the Clive Owen LLP, said: “Auto-Enrolment has been a major concern for employers and we’ve strengthened our team to reflect the support owner managed businesses need along with the increased demand for our payroll services as companies continue to outsource.”

* * *

MHA MacIntyre merges with Shoesmiths

1 April - MHA MacIntyre Hudson Birmingham office has announced its merger with Edgbaston-based Shoesmiths.

The merger follows MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s expansion strategy after merging with Bloomer Heaven and stretching out nationally with the addition of MHA Reid Williams in Reading. Shoesmith’s main service lines are audit, accounting, personal and business tax advice, serving clients in a variety of sectors mainly within Birmingham and the West Midlands.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson chairman Rakesh Shaunak said "Both firms have a similar outlook, are a good cultural fit and we're confident that the firm will continue to deliver services to a high level. This merger will provide access to a wider suite of services for Shoesmith clients and enhanced career and development prospects for all members of the expanding team.” 

* * *

Francis Clark joins PKF network

1 April - Francis Clark has joined the PKF international network as an independently owned and managed member firm.

Francis Clark’s announced its merger with Princecroft Willis also becomes effective from this week, which will increase its team to 59 partners and over 580 staff.

Andrew Richards, managing partner at PKF Francis Clark, said: “We have already had the opportunity to work on several client assignments with other PKF member firms and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.  With advances in technology, the world is becoming a smaller place and we are increasingly seeing our clients do business in other parts of the UK and overseas.”

* * *

RSM promotes record 19 partners

1 April - RSM has promoted of a record 19 new partners around the UK, rounding off a year which saw their profits grow by 39% and their annual revenues increase to £292m.

The firm’s audit faculty has seen the biggest increase with seven promotions. Other areas which have been bolstered nationwide with new partners are tax, VAT, restructuring advisory, financial reporting, forensic services team and marketing. 

Laurence Longe, RSM’s UK CEO said: “The record number of partner appointments this year reflects the recent growth in our business, the strength of talent we have within our firm, and our ambition to become the first choice adviser to leading, middle-market businesses globally.”

Replies (0)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

There are currently no replies, be the first to post a reply.