Mazars strengthens international tax service with new appointment

MAZARS has appointed Vesko Petkov as the new international tax director for its Central Region.

After graduating from Aston Business School, Petkov spent his next five years in Birmingham as part of the corporate tax team at Deloitte.

A year in London with 3i’s global private equity business Inspicio followed and latterly he has been three years in the capital with giant French operation Bureau Veritas.

Petkov said: “After nine years working with large corporates, being tasked with strengthening the tax business unit at Mazars was massively exciting. My ambition is to ensure Mazars’ international tax offering is an alternative to the Big Four but with much more added value.”

He said the focus would be on establishing an integrated organisation capable of delivering technical excellence and quality of service in an ethical and independent manner.

David Chapman, Mazars ‘Midlands managing partner, said: “Vesko is an extremely talented tax adviser and we welcome him to the firm. Over the last nine years he has enjoyed a good grounding in UK and international taxation. He will be able to combine the tax technical and project management skill gained in the first part of his career with the commercial experience gained in-house. He is highly results driven.”

Petkov’s specialties include project management, mergers and acquisitions, tax integration, re-structuring, tax accounting and compliance.

MFM recruits healthcare entreprenuer to boost Investment Panel

VENTURE capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management has appointed Simon Cartmell to its Investment Panel.

With 30 years pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech experience gained in commercial, product development, supply chain, strategic leadership and corporate executive roles, Cartmell is a serial entrepreneur in early stage healthcare businesses.

As CEO of ApaTech Ltd, a Queen Mary University of London spinout, he grew the spinout into a world leader in orthobiologics prior to its sale to Baxter for $330m in March 2010.

He joins an Investment Panel of industry veterans and entrepreneurs who together bring a wealth of knowledge and operational experience in MFM’s key sectors.

The Investment Panel is part of MFM’s full-support investment philosophy. The VC fund manager backs businesses from start-up through to highly profitable operations. It uses both institutional and private investor funds under management to provide early stage, development and growth capital whilst additionally offering business support services including flexible accommodation.

Mark Payton, managing director, MFM said: “Simon joins an external Investment Panel that already has a pedigree second to none. Our growing portfolio demands senior input and that’s why we are working with Simon. He has already contributed significantly in respect of our healthcare portfolio and we look forward to our closer relationship with Simon moving forwards.”

Cartmell added: “Mercia Fund Management is funding some of the most exciting biomedical companies in the UK at the moment, so I am delighted to join the VC fund manager and share my expertise with its portfolio companies. My initial priority is to work closely with Mark Payton to identify new companies for EIS and Seed EIS investments.”  

Prior to joining ApaTech in 2004, Cartmell was a main board director of Celltech Group plc, serving as CEO of Celltech Pharmaceuticals, prior to which he served as COO of Vanguard Medica (later Vernalis plc). The early part of his career was spent at Glaxo/Glaxo Wellcome Plc in a series of senior UK and international commercial, supply chain and strategic development leadership roles.

He is currently part-time CEO of Calon Cardio-Technology Ltd, a venture partner and advisor to two UK-based major venture capital houses and supports pro bono a number schools and charities as a member of the Haberdashers Livery Company.

Carl Summers supports expansion with new appointment

NEWPORT-based financial advisor Carl Summers Financial Services has made a new appointment to supports its ongoing expansion.

The firm has recruited David Brown, left, to its team of financial advisers as a mortgage and protection specialist.

A member of The Personal Finance Society, Brown has more than 17 years’ experience within the financial industry, working for Barclays and Lloyds TSB, as well as insurance provider, Aviva.

In his new role, he will work alongside a broad mix of clients, ranging from first-time buyers to established homeowners, providing advice on mortgages and personal insurance, income and mortgage protection, as well as estate planning, which is becoming a vital part in day-to-day financial planning.

Carl Summers, partner at Carl Summers Financial Services, said: “David is a very welcome addition to our team, and his wealth of experience and substantial expertise will be a huge asset to our much- valued clients. We pride ourselves on providing the best possible advice and support, and welcoming such an established and talented individual will further strengthen our offer.”