People: RSM adds two audit partners; new real estate head at Shakespeare Martineau; BDO welcomes 17 trainees

Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has expanded its Birmingham audit practice with the appointment of two partners.

Ian Wall, who joins RSM from PwC, is an audit partner working in the corporate mid-market with private businesses including those with private equity backing. He has extensive experience in accounting, external audit, internal controls, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and deals including IPOs.

Anna Spencer-Gray, who has worked for RSM for 16 years, has been promoted to partner and returns to the Midlands after a nine-year stint working in the firm’s Manchester office.

She will focus primarily on building the firm’s business among not-for-profit clients including housing associations and educational entities, as well as leading the West Midlands charity team.

The new hires follow other recent partner appointments at RSM in Birmingham including Elaine Shiels who joined the firm’s private client team and Keith Ward who heads the firm’s social housing team. RSM said the expansion of the senior team in Birmingham, which now comprises 24 partners, underlines the firm’s growth ambitions in the local market.

Mark Taylor, RSM’s regional managing partner for the central region said: “RSM’s ambition to be the first-choice adviser to middle market businesses relies on attracting high calibre talent and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome both Ian and Anna to the team here in Birmingham. They will, I am sure, play a huge role for RSM as we seek to further expand our business here in Birmingham and across the West Midlands.”

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Accountancy and advisory firm BDO has expanded its 300-strong workforce across the Midlands by welcoming 17 trainees today. The trainees will sit across BDO’s Birmingham and Nottingham offices.

The new recruits are part of a wider intake of 300 new trainees across the firm’s 16 regional offices and include apprentices and graduates.

This year the firm experienced a record-high of more than 10,800 applicants, a 20% increase compared with last year.

The new trainees will sit within tax, audit, advisory and business services and outsourcing streams. Alongside their relevant professional qualification, trainees will get opportunity to work towards a Level 7 accountancy or taxation professional apprenticeship, equivalent to a master’s degree.

Richard Rose, lead partner for the Midlands at BDO, said: “Welcoming our new intake of trainees is one of the highlights of the year at BDO, it is fantastic to see so many fresh faces and support the next generation of accountants and advisors in the Midlands.

“We place great emphasis on the personalities, skills and drive of our colleagues rather than focusing on their background or education, so I am proud to announce that BDO is offering an increased number of apprenticeships this year compared to last, as well as more graduate roles.

“As the business landscape changes and technology continues to disrupt the way we work, now more than ever we focus on attracting trainees with commercial acumen and the personal skills required to offer the best service to our clients and to ensure we stand out from the competition.”

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Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed Louise Drew as the new head of its national real estate group.

Drew has been with Shakespeare Martineau for five years, working with a large range of clients from across the real estate sector, including national house builders and registered providers of social housing. She will be taking over from John Edmond, who will be retiring from his role at the firm this summer and returning as a consultant.

As part of her new role, Drew will be overseeing all of the teams and functions within the firm’s real estate group, including planning, construction, environmental, residential development, regeneration and projects and infrastructure.

She plays an active role in shaping and commentating on UK housing policy, and has contributed towards the Government’s HAPPI3 report, which focuses on housing the country’s ageing population.

Drew said: “The real estate sector forms a huge part of the UK economy, spanning the delivery of everything from student accommodation and buy-to-let, through to later living and commercial development. The work is fast-paced and offers a real chance to influence the places people live and work across the country.

“Shakespeare Martineau is a firm which embraces this diversity and has its eyes firmly fixed on the future. Having some of the sharpest legal minds in the real estate sector working within the firm is hugely advantageous and the scope of work that we undertake for our clients is significant.”