Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has demonstrated its commitment to grow its network with two appointments, seven senior promotions, 34 internal promotions and 28 trainees joining the Midlands team. This follows the announcement of a national recruitment drive that will see Azets adding 900 roles across the UK business over the next 12 months.
David Saunders,Ben Sheldon and Francesca Hutcheson have been appointed as Partner, whilst Matt Walker joins as Private Client Senior Manager. Sarah Connolly and Benjamin Barnett have been promoted to Associate Director, as well as Matthew Allen who is now Senior Manager. Joel Fentem takes on the role of Senior Manager in the audit team, whilst Jaden Reynolds has been promoted to Manager within the forensic accountancy team.
David joined Azets in 2017 and works out of the Walsall office. He is an FCCA qualified accountant with many years’ experience supporting SMEs in the Midlands in a range of industry sectors. David works within the accounting & business advisory service line advising owner-managed businesses on a range of accounting and general advisory matters.
Ben joined Azets in 2019 from a big 4 firm where he worked in their private business team. As a partner in the audit team, Ben works on private limited companies, ranging from small single entities to large international groups.
With over 20 years’ experience, Francesca joins Azets’ Central Tax Advisory team. She advises on all aspects of tax advisory work throughout the owner managed business lifecycle, including research & development, capital allowances claims, exit and succession planning for family businesses, merger & acquisition tax transaction support and employee rewards.
On the promotions and appointments, Paul Clifford, Regional CEO at Azets UK, said: “We are actively recruiting at all levels, with our investment in hybrid working creating more opportunities for existing staff and removing traditional barriers around location and flexibility.
As well as this, we truly recognise the importance in harnessing and growing talent from within the business, and these promotions are proof of this. Each promotion is incredibly well deserved and we look forward to maintaining and growing our team, in line with our strategic plan.”
The business-wide recruitment drive covers roles across all levels, from associate through to partner, and service lines including audit and assurance, accounting and advisory business services, corporate finance, tax, and restructuring. The firm expects to hire up to 400 graduates and school leavers to join in September 2023. This recruitment drive marks the latest milestone on Azets’ ambitious journey to increase revenue by 50% in the next five years through organic and acquisitive growth.
Azets, which recently ranked 38th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2022, is also providing opportunities to T Level students, the new intense technical vocational qualifications introduced by the government in 2020.
All vacancies can be found at www.azets.co.uk/careers where applications from those who are looking to work flexibly or part-time, reduced hours or term-time are encouraged.
