People: New director at BDO; Law firm makes several promotions; and more

Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP, has welcomed a new director to its Leeds office as its tax advisory business continues to grow.

Lyndon Firth joins the firm as director and will lead the VAT team within BDO’s Leeds office. Experienced in working with multinationals and PLCs, he joins the firm following six years with KPMG.

The appointment to the indirect tax practice demonstrates the ongoing commitment by BDO to attract the best talent from across the region, as it looks to grow the team and its client base over the next few years.

The Yorkshire office has a strong client base spanning some of the biggest businesses and most high-profile PLCs in the region.

Partner and Head of BDO in Leeds, Terry Jones, said: “Lyndon brings significant experience and  an exceptional reputation of working with  some of the biggest businesses in our region, further enhancing the capabilities of our Leeds tax team as it continues to grow. As a firm, we are focused on providing our clients with the very best advice and support, so continuing to invest in developing our team and attracting the most talented people is vital.”

BDO’s Leeds office has also recently appointed a new intake of graduates and school leavers, boosting the firm’s Yorkshire headcount.

Firth added: “BDO has an enviable client list across Yorkshire, supporting the most impressive organisations in the region. It is a fantastic time to be joining BDO. With more than two decades of VAT experience under my belt, there’s never been a more interesting time to be practising as an indirect tax adviser. Given the Brexit backdrop and changing HMRC demands being made on businesses, we’re working with clients to ensure they’re best placed to succeed.

“We’ll look towards sectors where we can add further value such as education, financial services housing associations and the NHS.”

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Leeds-based insurance brokers, JM Glendinning, has appointed Dan Binks as client director at its Guiseley business.

Approaching 30 years in the insurance industry, Binks joins the family run firm from Arthur J. Gallagher where where he worked since 2012. Prior to that he worked for Henderson, where he was founding director of Henderson Corporate.

He brings with him significant experience in retail, logistics, food and beverage, automotive and manufacturing insurances, gained mainly in client facing roles. In his new position at JM Glendinning, Dan will be responsible for leading, protecting and developing client relationships and ensuring that client engagement is kept at the forefront of the business.

Binks said: “I’ve known Paul Glendinning for many years and the role at JM Glendinning really appealed to me. It’s a nimble, dynamic, family business and its structure enables a more client focused approach. By building key relationships with insurance companies, offering a personal service to clients and having a team of highly skilled negotiators, I am already seeing that the business is able to outperform the market on cost whilst delivering exceptional client service.”

JM Glendinning group managing director Nick Houghton added:“Our business is about people dealing with people so handpicking the right recruits is critical. We look for classically trained people that are disenfranchised where they are. Dan is well known to the business and his expertise and connectivity, backed by our proposition, will bring success and a great career with us.”

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Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson in Leeds has promoted two people to managing associate and three to associate.

The promotions to managing associate are Rachel Hearson, a chartered trademark attorney from the corporate and commercial services team and Rebecca Ridley, from the Corporate team.

The promotions to associate are Rose Smalley, an intellectual property lawyer; Tom Graham, from the commercial disputes and regulatory team and Dale Armstrong, from the residential team.

Mark Owen, partner and head of the Leeds office at Womble Bond Dickinson, said: “Congratulations to all our new Managing Associates and Associates. We are immensely proud of the talent held within Womble Bond Dickinson and all those promoted have made a significant contribution to our firm that deserves to be recognised.”

“Our people are at the heart of what we do and we want them to enjoy long and successful careers with us. This is why we work hard to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and be rewarded for their success.”