People: Advisory firm hires corporate tax partner; Burley Browne promotes industrial agent as market booms; and more

Audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe has appointed Emma Locken as corporate tax partner.

Locken joins Crowe from the Big Four where she gained more than 15 years experience advising UK and multi-national businesses on their direct tax obligations.

She specialises in working with listed businesses in the FTSE250 and AIM markets across a range of industry sectors, with particular experience in the natural resources space. Her responsibilities range from advising businesses on tax structuring and transactional work, to ensuring tax compliance and reporting obligations are met.

In her new role at Crowe, Locken will work with clients to assist them with their tax advisory and compliance needs. With her extensive experience, she is well placed to help clients solve their business problems and navigate the fast-changing UK and international tax environment.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining Crowe and working with such a dynamic organisation and team. The tax landscape has been changing at an unprecedented pace both in the UK and internationally and I am passionate about helping clients navigate this increasingly challenging environment, ensuring that tax risks are identified and managed in an efficient manner.”

Nigel Bostock, chief executive of Crowe, said: “Emma’s appointment reinforces our commitment to providing clients with best-in-class corporate tax advice, at such a pivotal time for taxation, which currently sits front-and-centre on the international stage. Emma’s arrival is also testament to the strong reputation Crowe enjoys in the market. I look forward to the fresh insight and value Emma will bring for clients, as her strengths complement the services that the corporate tax team provide.”

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Industrial agency specialist Ben Nicholson has been promoted by West Midlands property consultancy Burley Browne as the highly competitive sector continues to boom.

Nicholson, who joined the Sutton Coldfield-based business in 2011 as a graduate, becomes senior associate director.

David Hemming, joint managing director of Burley Browne, said: “Ben’s promotion is fully deserved and reflects the exceptional service he provides to clients both large and small. We have seen real growth in the size and quality of industrial agency instructions during the last 12 months, and with a strong pipeline of further instructions coming through, we are delighted to reward Ben for all of his hard work.

“We are also very grateful for his support and commitment since we implemented our new business strategy after James Merrick and myself took over the reins last year.”

Nicholson said: “I’m grateful to David and James for the opportunity to progress my career at Burley Browne. These are exciting times at the company and our presence in the industrial market across the North Birmingham and South Staffordshire area continues to grow. There is currently a high level of demand for good quality industrial, warehouse and distribution accommodation as firms adapt and grow.

“We have been extremely busy completing lettings and sales in recent months and it is very rewarding to see Burley Browne boards appearing on a regular basis.”

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A training organisation was quick off the starting blocks to recruit new staff after extending its offices in Coventry.

The SCCU Group provides apprenticeships, traineeships and commercial training across education and other sectors.

After deciding to refurbish and extend its current office in Harry Weston Road, Binley, operations director James Pease contacted Adam Plumb at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub to enquire about grants.

He was put in touch with Coventry City Council and he was successful in his application for a £25,000 grant through the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The grant assisted towards the investment of £85,000 for the extension and refurbishment project to take place which includes the new technical software and hardware, furniture and air conditioning along with LED lighting.

Six more staff numbers are to be added to the 35-strong company as new contracts continue to be won.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle from Coventry City Council and board member of the CWLEP, said: “It’s great to see another local company thriving, taking on new staff and creating new jobs.

“Often all small innovative local companies like the SCCU Group need is a small boost of cash to take that next step and that is exactly what the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme is about.”