People on the move: BDO; Cushman & Wakefield; Forbes Solicitors

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has announced the promotion of Angela Cross to tax partner in its Manchester office.

Cross joined BDO in January 2014 as tax director following 14 years in other tax roles at Grant Thornton, and has since made a significant impact on both the tax team and the wider Manchester office.

Specialising in tax for more than 20 years, Cross provides both advisory and compliance services to a wide range of corporate clients, from small owner managed businesses through to private equity backed groups and listed clients operating internationally.

Cross is also BDO’s Northern head of tax in the not for profit sector; since joining the business, she has played a key role in developing the firm’s client base across the Midlands and the North, building and nurturing relationships with both new and existing clients.

She has particular expertise within the housing, charity and education sectors, which has been especially valuable to BDO and its clients.

Ed Dwan, partner and head of BDO in the North West, said: “Angela is a huge asset to our team at BDO – her experience, skill and hard work has been instrumental in growing our business and has brought enormous value to our clients. I know that I speak on behalf of everyone at BDO when I say that Angela’s promotion is very well deserved.”

Cross added: “BDO benefits from a talented, extremely experienced Partner group and I look forward to working alongside them to further grow the business, particularly by working with growing businesses or those going through a period of change.

“Our team at BDO is passionate about working with our clients to support them in meeting their targets and achieving their immediate and long-term goals.”

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Cushman & Wakefield has made a new appointment to its national student and residential investment team.

Russell Hefferan returns to the Manchester-based team as associate from the London office and brings more than 15 years’ experience to the company.

He started at DTZ (now Cushman & Wakefield) in 2006, working in the Manchester office and providing valuation and strategic advice on all property matters.

Russell will be joining the student and residential investment department, reporting to Partner, Mike Mitchell.

The team completed transactions in 2015/16 of £515m, making up 17% of UK total transactions and has a current sales and acquisitions program comprises 3,717 beds worth £228m.

Investment in the UK student accommodation sector reached £3.1bn in 2016, making it the second highest year on record, according to a research report by Cushman & Wakefield.

Mike Mitchell said: “We are delighted to welcome Russell back to the Manchester office. He has established a strong track record in providing property advice to key clients including banks, institutional funds, international, national and regional property companies, local authorities and land owners and his experience will be invaluable in the Student Residential Investment sector.”

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Blackburn-based Forbes Solicitors has announced the appointment of four new partners and four new associates as part of its continued growth.

The largest legal practice in the North West outside the major cities has promoted Lucy Harris, Rubina Vohra, Judith Bloor and Patricia Prescott to partners from associates.

It has also confirmed that Kirsty McNulty, Laura Cieplak (nee Wilson), Darren Smith and Paul Huxley have been promoted from solicitors to associates.

Siobhan Hardy, senior partner at Forbes said: “We are delighted to announce these appointments, which underline the strength in depth which we have at Forbes and which also demonstrates our track record for nurturing our own talent and helping people to build careers with us.

“I look forward to watching their careers flourish even further in the future.”