People: BDO makes partner promotion; Mercia expands Northern Powerhouse team; Vehicle accessories firm recruits for international expansion; and more

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has promoted Steve Talbot to partner in its specialist employment tax team in Leeds.

Talbot is one of 14 new partner promotions at BDO across the UK.

He joined BDO Leeds as a senior manager in 2011 and quickly worked his way up to head of the employment tax team in Yorkshire. His promotion to partner comes at a point in which the regional office is looking to expand and grow its specialist tax advisory services.

Terry Jones, partner and head of BDO in Yorkshire, said: “Steve has contributed massively to the growth of the office and his promotion will further strengthen our position in the market as the leading employment taxes team in the region.

“As geographically boundaries continue to blur and the impact of Brexit remains uncertain, the need for experienced advisers that can help businesses navigate the domestic and international tax system is more important than ever. I am confident Steve will continue to excel in offering a world class quality service to our mid-market clients.

Talbot added: “I am delighted to become a partner at BDO. The support I have had from the partners, especially Terry, is incredible and I look forward to growing the Yorkshire and North East team further.”

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Mercia Fund Managers has expanded its team in Yorkshire and the Humber with the appointment of David Wright as investment manager.

Wright will be one of the nine-strong team providing businesses with loans of £100,000 to £750,000 from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and is managed by Mercia Fund Managers.

He has extensive experience in banking and finance, having spent almost 30 years with Yorkshire Bank and the past six years as a commercial finance broker sourcing funding for businesses and property developers.

Working alongside Jonathan Craig, Wright will be based in Mercia’s Leeds office, focusing on the City Region, in particular the Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale area.

He will also work closely with the Growth Hub and its team of business advisers.

Wright said: “I am delighted to join the Mercia team and having worked in West Yorkshire for my entire career, I know the region very well with its diverse range of businesses. I look forward to working with the NPIF Debt team to help companies grow and prosper, and I’d invite any businesses from the area to get in touch for an informal chat if they would like to find out more about the fund.”

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Ring, the leading supplier of vehicle lighting, workshop equipment and vehicle accessories to the aftermarket, has appointed Lizzy Sebine as international product manager.

Responsible for delivering growth within retail accessories and portable lighting for international markets, Sebine will work closely with Ring’s International team to develop and introduce products within these two core categories.

She said: “With our international focus, Ring operates across multiple, diverse markets. Whilst many would see this as a challenge, I am really looking forward to managing the needs of our business and customers across a range of territories.”