Today’s news in brief – 24/5/2024

FRP has appointed Claire Dale as its new people director, following her tenure as chief people officer at the England and Wales Cricket Board. Dale will manage HR, talent, and development for FRP’s 700+ employees, a result of acquisitions since its AIM listing in 2020. She aims to evolve company culture and solidify FRP's reputation in professional services. Supporting her is Louise Jackson, the new non-executive director and remuneration committee chair. Dale's appointment coincides with promotions of 87 employees and FRP’s acquisition of Hilton-Baird. COO Jeremy French praised Dale's experience and commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Midlands-based financial group Jerroms has appointed Chasz Coulsting and Daphne Hemingway as directors. Coulsting, with experience in mergers, acquisitions, and transaction support, will enhance Jerroms’ Corporate Finance and Transaction Support services. Hemingway, a former VAT partner with 'Big 4' and mid-tier firm experience, will lead a new VAT advisory department within the Specialist Tax team. Her expertise includes property, construction, HMRC dispute resolution, and international services. Director Lucas Markou expressed confidence that their combined expertise will drive innovation and enhance service offerings, supporting clients through various business stages. PKF Littlejohn has been appointed joint administrators of Castle and Crystal Credit Union, covering parts of the West Midlands. Regulatory bodies declared the credit union in default, ensuring savers will get their deposits back through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Most members will receive a cheque, while some can claim cash at the Post Office with an unmarked letter. Joint administrator Joe Sleight reassured that all saver deposits are safe and detailed the process for loan holders. PKF will provide support via email and phone for queries regarding loan repayments and benefit payment setups. London-based investor Hg has acquired AuditBoard for over $3bn, capitalising on the growing demand for its connected risk platform. AuditBoard, serving over 2,000 enterprises including nearly half of the Fortune 500, reached $200 million in annual recurring revenues in late 2023. This acquisition will leverage Hg’s 20-year experience in enterprise software to support AuditBoard's growth, product innovation, and customer success. AuditBoard’s CEO Scott Arnold and co-founder Jay Lee emphasised the importance of their customer-centric approach and expressed excitement for future developments under Hg’s partnership.