People: PKF Smith Cooper; Avison Young; Switch Management

Midlands-based accounting and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has welcomed new employment tax senior manager Megan Jones to its Birmingham team.
Jones is an employment tax specialist with over 7 years of experience in the field, who spent the first 5 years of her career at HMRC before moving into private practice.
In her new role at PKF Smith Cooper, she will provide monthly and annual compliance support to clients and offer unique insights into both big and small problems clients face.
Jones also provides risk reviews and sets up risk registers for clients’ own internal or SAO purposes as well as in preparation for an HMRC investigation.
She has vast experience in a wide range of sectors including the automotive industry, hotels and restaurants, IT, manufacturing and engineering, health and social care, property and construction, real estate, transport and logistics.
Jones said: “I’m excited to meet everyone and start supporting clients, both existing and new.”
Jack Bonehill, employment tax director at PKF Smith Cooper said: “I’m excited to have Megan join the employment tax team. Her experience and skills are a great asset to the wider tax team and our clients. The addition of Megan is a part of the firm’s investment in the expansion of our tax team, improving the support we provide to clients.”
Global commercial real estate firm Avison Young has announced the appointment of Sam Pearson as associate director in its industrial and logistics team in Birmingham.
Pearson joins Avison Young following six years at Gerald Eve, where he began his career as an assistant surveyor, before working his way up to an associate in the firm’s national industrial and logistics team.
Sam Pearson
He has previously worked with a wide range of clients, including national occupiers, developers and investors, as well as supporting property funds acting on behalf of clients including Trebor Developments/Hillwood, Chancerygate and Indurent.
In his new role, he will be working alongside the team in the Midlands, which includes David Willmer, Alex Thompson, Max Andrews and Sam Forster, while also collaborating with the wider Avison Young industrial and logistics teams.
His focus will be on developing the existing client base, targeting new assets and development opportunities across the Midlands region, ranging from multi-let to large-scale logistics sites, and supporting the strategic growth plans of the business.
Pearson said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Avison Young’s industrial and logistics team in Birmingham to further support the growth of the business and continue to enhance our profile across the Midlands region. It’s an exciting time for the business, both on a national and regional level, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with colleagues to capitalise on opportunities in the market during what looks set to be a resurgent 2025.”
David Willmer, principal and managing director of industrial and logistics at Avison Young UK said: “It’s fantastic to be bringing Sam on board in Birmingham. This is a significant time for the industrial and logistics team, with a number of key projects underway and plans for continued growth in 2025 and beyond. Regional growth is a crucial part of our business strategy, and we look forward to continuing to build on our reputation within the Midlands market, delivering real value to our clients.”
Switch Management, a Birmingham-based asset management and consultancy company has promoted Kevin Walker to group asset director and appointed him to the company’s board.
With over 14 years of experience in maintenance and facilities management, Walker joined Switch in 2021 as regional maintenance manager and later progressed to the role of group property asset manager.
In his new role, he will have responsibility for maintenance teams across the business, ensuring that all properties within the Switch portfolio are well-maintained, safe and compliant.
Kevin Walker
One of Walker’s key focuses will be driving forward the Switch Housing division, which recently launched a new programme to source safe and secure residential accommodation for vulnerable families across the UK.
He said: “I’m delighted to take on this new role at Switch and join the Board of Directors. Switch Housing will be a significant area of growth for the business, and my key focus is to drive forward our programme to help tackle the UK’s affordable housing crisis. I am proud to play a part in this meaningful work, and to help ensure that vulnerable families across the UK have a safe and secure place to call home.”
John Angus, managing director of Switch Management said: “As a people-driven and values-led business, our investment in people is for the long-term and we’re delighted to announce Kevin’s well-earned promotion and position on the Board.
“Kevin has played a crucial role in establishing the ‘Switch gold standard’ of quality and compliance across our portfolio, from luxury hotels and corporate accommodation to affordable housing. Regularly going above and beyond to provide excellence at every touch point, the strength and depth of his expertise will be invaluable as we continue to diversify and expand our service offering.”