People: RSM welcomes host of trainees; IoD appoints West Yorkshire chairman; and more

Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has welcomed 17 trainees to its Leeds and Hull offices.

The new recruits are among 288 new graduates and school leavers being taken on by the firm this year, bringing RSM’s total headcount to over 3,600 people across the UK.

The new starters, including 14 in Leeds and three in Hull, will begin their careers within the firm’s audit, corporate finance, risk and tax teams.

After completing an intensive internal training course, the new recruits will study towards their professional ACA, AAT, ATT, ICAS, ACCA, CIA or CTA accountancy qualifications.

Kevin O’Connor, RSM’s regional managing partner for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “I am delighted to welcome all of our new recruits to RSM.

“Our future growth ambitions rely on attracting and developing new talent across all areas of our business. I’m delighted that so many new recruits have chosen to begin their careers with us. This is, I hope, a reflection of the training support and the career opportunities that we can offer as a firm.”

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The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed Richard Smith as its West Yorkshire chairman.

Smith is managing director of speciality chemicals company Surfachem Group in Leeds, part of 2M Holdings.

He succeeds Jonathan Oxley, director of corporate finance at law firm Lupton Fawcett, who has taken on a new role heading up the IoD’s strategy on the Northern Powerhouse and Yorkshire devolution.

Smith said: “It’s an honour to be appointed West Yorkshire chairman. My role will focus on supporting the West Yorkshire membership while encouraging entrepreneurialism and business professionalism at all levels.”

Natalie Sykes, regional director of the IoD, said: “Richard has a wealth of industry and business experience which will be invaluable as he takes the helm of the West Yorkshire branch.

“He is a great addition to our senior team in the North who continue to promote and support businesses across all sectors and professions.”

Oxley recently completed his term as IoD regional chairman for Yorkshire and the Humber, a role now filled by Jon Geldart of Grant Thornton.

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Engineering, environment and design consultancy Sweco has appointed David Leversha as structural director of its UK buildings division, as the company continues its targeted growth in the structural design and multi-discipline engineering consultancy market.

Joining from BuroHappold, Leversha brings 21 years of experience to the business. For the past decade he has led multi-disciplinary teams working on high profile UK construction projects, including the Lowry Centre in Salford, Manchester’s 2 St. Peter’s Square office development, the new Science & Health Building at Coventry University and SnOasis, the proposed indoor winter sports resort in Suffolk.

In his new position, Leversha will build the current 30 strong team of structural engineers to boost Sweco’s pipeline of high-end, architecturally-led work across the UK.

Geoffrey Palmer, Sweco UK’s operations director for buildings, said: “David will further enhance our integrated engineering, planning and consultancy capability, complementing our excellent track record of providing building services in both the public and private sectors. His appointment will help us to capitalise on recent framework wins and continue to deliver a more diverse portfolio of high value construction work across the UK. His experience of completing award-winning projects for a broad range of clients makes him a strong asset for the team.”

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