People; Crowe, Paragon, Gerald Eve

Audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe has promoted Matt Doyle-Healey to partner in the firm’s audit practice.

With more than 16 years’ experience providing audit, risk and accountancy support to businesses, Doyle-Healey has also played a key role in the leadership of the audit team as a director in Midlands South West.

Crowe says his appointment comes at a time of significant growth.

The firm delivered revenues in the year to 31 March 2022 of more than £125m and expanded its client offering with new strategic consultancy lines.

Matt Doyle-Healey, Partner in audit said: “I am thrilled to be joining the partnership and look forward to working with colleagues from around the country to give clients the clear and practical advice that they come to Crowe for.

“Businesses are currently facing significant uncertainty with global factors, from geopolitics to the pandemic, affecting a whole range of businesses activities. Now, more than ever, organisations need to be able to rely on their professional advisors for guidance to enable smart and dynamic decision-making.”

Following receipt of regulatory approval from the FCA and the PRA, Paragon has announced the appointment of Robert East as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of Paragon with effect from 1 September 2022.

East will succeed Fiona Clutterbuck, who will concurrently retire as Chair and as a Non-Executive Director.

Clutterbuck joined the Board in 2012 and has been Chair since May 2018.

East has over 40 years’ experience in UK financial services and has held senior roles at Barclays.  He was also CEO of Cattles, where he led the restructuring and wind down of its operations from 2010 to 2016.  He has held positions as Chair of Vanquis Bank, Skipton Building Society and Hampshire Trust Bank.

He has previously served as a non-executive director on the boards of Provident Financial Group, Skipton and Hampshire Trust Bank, where he was also Chair of the Risk Committee.

On appointment, Robert will join Paragon’s Board, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Risk & Compliance Committee.

Robert East said: “I am delighted to take up the role of Chair at Paragon and look forward to working with the Paragon management team as we continue to build on the successes of the Group”.

Fiona Clutterbuck said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of this very special Group.  I wish Robert every success as he joins the Board at a very exciting time for Paragon as it continues its growth and development as a leading UK technology enabled specialist bank.”

Property consultant Gerald Eve has announced 40 partner and associate promotions, including several in its Midlands office.

Simon Johns, a specialist in building consultancy in the Birmingham office, has become a partner, while Andrew Matthews of the Capital Markets team has been promoted to senior associate focusing on operational real estate and long income markets within key regional centres.

The promotions follow two new appointments in the Birmingham office over the last few months, with Skye Andrews joining as a senior surveyor and Sean Rooney as an associate.

In addition, Gerald Eve has made eight promotions within its technical and business services support teams, including its rates payment team, marketing, and HR, reflecting the development of individuals who are critical to the operations of the business and its success.

Jon Ryan-Gill, Partner and Head of the Birmingham office said: “We have some of the top talent in the area in our office and these promotions are testament to their accomplishments.

“We work in collaboration with teams across all Gerald Eve offices to unlock best-in-class advice by data and trends, and explore what we can learn from market activity across the country.”