PKF Francis Clark promotes record 13 new directors

PKF Francis Clark has promoted 13 new directors across its tax, audit, business advisory, corporate finance, marketing and people teams – the largest number in the firm’s history.

The promotions span the accountancy firm’s offices in Exeter, Torquay, Truro, Salisbury and Poole, and reflect what chief executive Paul Crocker described as a commitment to “developing high-performing teams”.

Three directors have been appointed in the tax team:

• Tax adviser Charles Richards (Torquay), who joined the firm in 2015 and specialises in inheritance tax planning, trusts and estates

• Kate Culley (Torquay), a share plans and incentives specialist

• Rachel Addiss (Poole), who advises owner-managed businesses on corporate reorganisations and shareholder taxation
  

Three more have been promoted in audit and corporate finance in Exeter:

• Alex Davies, who provides training and support on audit, accounting and ethical standards

• Tom Hicks, who joined in 2012 and advises on business sales, acquisitions, fundraising and management buyouts

• Victoria Smith, who specialises in energy mergers and acquisitions, particularly in solar and battery energy storage projects, with deal sizes from £5m to £100m
  

Five new directors have been appointed in the business advisory team, including three rural and agricultural specialists:

• Jessica Tubbs (Poole), who supports small and growing businesses with their financial affairs

• Michelle Ford (Salisbury), who joined in 2008 and now leads the local business advisory team, advising family businesses on tax, cloud accounting and compliance

• Chris Madeley (Truro), who manages a portfolio of rural businesses, focusing on succession and inheritance tax planning

• David Williams (Torquay), who leads the rural team, providing tax advice to clients including farmers, landowners and leisure businesses

• Russell Phillips (Truro), who joined in 2016 and advises agricultural businesses and landed estates on tax compliance and planning
  

Two central services specialists have also been promoted:

• Claire Hill (Torquay), who leads people operations and recruitment, including early careers, experienced hires, benefits and wellbeing

• Ruth Warren (Exeter), who leads a team of eight marketing specialists and supports departments including audit and professional practices
  

Crocker said: “It’s always a proud moment to see colleagues progress to director level, especially when so many have built their careers with us over many years. These promotions reflect their technical expertise, leadership skills and dedication to our clients, as well as our focus on developing high-performing teams.

“We look forward to supporting the continued development of our new directors as they take this next step in their PKF Francis Clark careers.”

The firm employs more than 950 people across nine offices.