People Moves: RSM, KPMG, BHP and more

Tax specialist appointed at RSM

Expanding its presence in the North West, mid-market firm RSM has appointed Graham Steele to its tax practice team.

In his new role as Partner, Steele will support the firm’s 110-strong regional tax team.

He brings experience from his time on KPMG’s North Innovation Reliefs & Incentives team, and specialises in R&D tax reliefs, patent box and other innovation tax reliefs.

“It’s great to be joining such an experienced, established team and we have ambitious plans to further grow our innovation tax reliefs practice,” Steele said, in a press release.

Manager promoted to Director at Brown Butler

Leeds-based accountancy firm Brown Butler has promoted Nicola Taylor, its Audit and Accounts Manager, to Director following her seven years of service at the company.

Taylor has more than ten years of experience managing audit and assurance teams, and has close ties to not-for-profits, as well as the printing, property and manufacturing sectors.

Nicola has worked immensely hard since joining us seven years ago and has helped to further develop our audit and accounts team,” said the firm’s Director and Principal, James White, in a press release.

“She is the ideal candidate to be taking up this position and on behalf of everyone at the firm I would like to congratulate her on this promotion.”

BHP appointment bolsters tax department

Suzy Harris-Milnes, formerly of Grant Thornton, has become the newest Tax Partner at Yorkshire and Derbyshire-focused accountancy firm BHP.

With more than 20 years of experience in private client work, Harris-Milnes will focus on helping business owners, trusts and otherwise wealthy individuals with personal tax affairs.

While primarily based in Sheffield and Leeds, Harris-Milnes will work across all of BHP’s offices to offer bespoke advice to clients.

“Suzy has spent the majority of her career developing long-lasting relationships with private clients to help shape and structure their personal finances,” said BHP’s Head of Tax, Chris Humphreys in a press release.

“As we continue to grow, we are thrilled that Suzy has chosen to join us—her experience in private client work will further strengthen the services that we offer.”

Geraldine Lawlor joins KPMG

KPMG has appointed Geraldine Lawlor as its new Global Head of Financial Crime and a Partner within the UK firm.

Lawlor was formerly the Group Head of Financial Crime at Barclays. Having been on gardening leave since September 2019, she is poised to return to the industry, pulling from her additional experience at AIB Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“I am hugely excited to join this pre-eminent business and lead an outstanding team of forensic professionals,” said Lawlor, in a press release.

KPMG’s global forensic practice currently has 4,000 employees working across a range of issues, including fraud detection, contract compliance and improving financial crime compliance.

Chair steps down, new Chair appointed at Milsted Langdon

Accountancy firm Milsted Langdon has announced that its founding Partner, Jonathan Langdon, will step down from his position after holding it for more than 30 years.

Senior Partner Tim Close will succeed Langdon as Chair; however, Langdon will continue to work as a Partner within the company.

Close joined the firm in 1989, and has worked extensively in the insolvency and business recovery sectors. In his new role, he will help guide the firm’s 23 Partners in making decisions about the firm and its 200 employees.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair of Milsted Langdon and growing the firm to what it is today, and I can think of no one better to hand this position to,” said Langdon, in a press release.

“I’ve worked with Tim for a long time, he has worked tirelessly to help our clients and there are few people that have a better understanding of what it takes for a business to thrive.

“I am sure under his new leadership, the practice will continue to be very successful and I would like to wish him the best of luck,” he said.