People: SYTECH; Claritas Tax; BK Plus

SYTECH, a digital forensics consultancy service provider, has announced a trio of appointments to support its expansion plans.

Jon Reynolds has joined the business as corporate strategy advisor, with over 35 years of experience in leading major corporations, most recently, Badr Investment Group & AATCO Food Industries (Kerry Group PLC) where he was Group CEO, overseeing a series of landmark developments.

It includes designing and executing the AATCO sale strategy to Kerry PLC and spearheading major international growth for the Badr Investment Group Companies.

Prior to this, Reynolds held the role of MD at Reyco Holdings where he led the growth and operational implementation across the group, delivering excellent levels of EBITDA for the group.

Other previous board level positions include MD of Barclay’s Bank PLC Automotive Distribution & Retail Division, and MD of Volkswagen – Audi & Nissan Franchises UK, and Volkswagen & Audi Retail Dealerships.

Miguelle James, a senior level HR professional brings 15 years of human resources management experience to the newly created role of head of people & culture at SYTECH.

Holding a Master of Science degree in human resource management, James joins from Bestway Wholesale, where she was a HR business partner, developing and implementing a range of strategic HR initiatives to enhance management capabilities and drive organisational success.

Completing the trio of hires is Alex Harvey, SYTECH’s new training manager.

A digital forensics graduate, with a relevant background as a Threat Intelligence Analyst with The Cyber Helpline and as a special constable with West Midlands Police – a role held since 2019 which has seen him amass experience in digital forensics (working with Digital Media Investigators) Homicide and Neighbourhood Policing.

Most recently Harvey has been supporting the learning & development team at West Midlands Police by delivering digital forensics training sessions.

Daren Greener, MD at SYTECH said: “The last 12 months have seen the business undergo a series of major step changes as part of our exciting growth plans. I now take great pleasure in welcoming Jon, Miguelle and Alex to SYTECH to support on onwards journey and upwards trajectory as we continue to invest in the development of our organisation and the many committed and talented people within in.”

Claritas Tax has announced the recruitment of four new graduate tax associates to its tax consultancy firm.

The recruits are, Florence Ho, Joss Chippendale, Jairaj Kooner and Zohaib Munawar.

All four will be based in Birmingham but will work closely with Claritas Tax’s teams in Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham.

Under Claritas’ ‘rotational seat programme’, their roles will be working initially in Claritas’ share schemes and valuations, innovations, corporate and M&A departments whilst being supported to study for the prestigious ICAEW and Chartered Institute of Taxation qualifications.

Iain Wright, founding partner and head of the Birmingham office at Claritas said: “Young talent is essential to our future business success and to building the skills we will need to remain competitive. This is a very exciting time for Claritas. Our team keeps going from strength to strength. We’re continuing to grow our team when many of our competitors are imposing recruitment freezes and are especially proud that we’re welcoming strong, ambitious graduates to our offices.”

Accountancy firm, BK Plus, has announced the appointment of Kevin Brevitt and Mark Parsons to its expanding team.

Kevin Brevitt joins BK Plus as chief technology officer to lead both the internal IT function and elevate the customer journey.

With extensive experience in IT transformation and digital strategy, Brevitt is set to drive innovation within BK Plus by optimizing technology to improve operational efficiency and enhance client engagement.

Kevin Brevitt, Shaun Knight and Mark Parsons

His ability to align IT initiatives with business goals will be crucial in supporting the firm’s ongoing growth and ensuring a seamless experience for both clients and staff.

He said: “I am excited to join BK Plus and to help drive the firm’s growth through technology and innovation. My focus will be on optimising our internal systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency, ensuring that we are well-equipped to support our team and continue delivering high-quality service. I look forward to working with the team at BK Plus to implement technological advancements that will streamline our operations and help us grow even stronger as a firm and enhance our client experience.”

Mark Parsons joins as corporate finance partner, with a particular focus on debt advisory.

With a 30-year career in the banking sector, Parsons brings a wealth of expertise most recently with Shawbrook Bank, as the head of asset-based lending and corporate lending across Midlands, North, and Scotland.

Throughout his career, he has played a key role in assisting UK SMEs to secure funding for capital investment, working capital growth, and acquisition strategies; including management buyouts (MBOs), and management buy-ins (MBIs).

Mark Parsons, said: “I am thrilled to collaborate with the talented team at BK Plus. My goal is to provide our clients with clear and transparent insights into the wide range of funding options available, ensuring sustainable financial strategies tailored to their unique needs, delivered on time. I am committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of the debt market and achieve
their growth ambitions.”

Shaun Knight, CEO of BK Plus, said: “At BK Plus, we are continuously investing in the strength and expertise of our team to deliver the services that our clients need. The addition of Kevin Brevitt and Mark Parsons to our senior leadership is a significant step in our growth journey. Kevin brings a strong focus on leveraging technology to enhance our internal operations and client experiences, while Marks extensive experience in banking and finance will provide our clients with unparalleled support in navigating their financial challenges. These appointments reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional service and strengthening our local and regional presence across the UK.”