Today’s news in brief – 27/2/2025

Yorkshire-based Northern Accountants has acquired Scottish firm Empowered By Cloud for a significant six-figure sum, expanding its advisory services. The deal adds 50 new clients, bringing the total to over 400, and boosts staff to 45. Established in 2008, Northern Accountants now operates across Leeds, Hull, and Edinburgh with a £3m turnover. Founder Phil Ellerby sees the acquisition enhancing financial director services beyond compliance. Former Empowered By Cloud director Graeme Morrison joins the leadership team, aiming to diversify from construction into other industries while strengthening client support through a larger, more structured firm. UK accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael has appointed Jane Ferguson as an audit partner. With over 18 years’ experience, she joins from a Big Four firm and will be based in Glasgow. The firm’s audit team has grown by 80% to over 250 professionals. Ferguson specializes in IFRS and UK GAAP, supporting businesses from SMEs to large corporations. Her hiring follows Johnston Carmichael’s recent audit governance expansion, including two independent non-executive directors. She aims to enhance the firm’s sector expertise, particularly in engineering and manufacturing, while contributing to its continued UK-wide growth and strong presence in the Scottish market. Ballards LLP has expanded its tax team by appointing Emma Clewes as corporate tax director and Peter Woodall as associate partner. Clewes will focus on developing tailored tax strategies, while Woodall brings extensive experience in tax planning and compliance. Their expertise enhances the firm’s ability to navigate complex tax regulations and deepen client relationships. Martin Adams, Ballards’ head of tax, emphasized the firm’s commitment to investing in top talent to strengthen its services. The appointments align with Ballards’ strategy to grow its tax division and deliver expert advice to clients in an increasingly challenging financial landscape. RSM UK has appointed Mark Crawford as a director in its business transformation team. With over 25 years' experience at EY and PwC, he specializes in the manufacturing and industrial sector, advising on procurement, supply chain, and business transformation. His focus will be expanding RSM’s manufacturing client base and strengthening its industry capabilities. Crawford highlights the importance of agility, finance planning, and technology in modern manufacturing. Business transformation head Joel Segal praised Crawford’s deep expertise, emphasizing that his leadership will enhance RSM’s ability to support clients in optimizing operations and achieving strategic growth.