Twist turns to Grant Thornton for fresh start

GRANT Thornton in Birmingham has strengthened its Employer Solutions team with a new appointment.

Paul Twist will head up the firm’s employee share scheme service across the West Midlands.
 
Twist has 15 years’ experience in his field and chose to join Grant Thornton after a two year advisor role with HMRC.  Whilst at HMRC Twist was one of five national leads tasked with the development and launch of HMRC’s ‘know your customer’ initiative, part of its ongoing campaign to increase employment tax compliance activity.

Prior to HMRC, Twist worked at Vodafone, Deloitte and KPMG in a variety of roles focusing on the implementation, evaluation and communication of tax-efficient employee share schemes.
 
James Hemphill, head of Grant Thornton’s Employer Solutions team in the West Midlands, said: “Paul has tremendous experience in this specialist area of expertise and his joining the team is a major coup for Grant Thornton. He has a huge amount of in-depth knowledge, skill and insight which he will bring to bear in our work with clients who are keen to attract, reward and retain employees in the most tax-efficient way.”
 

Baker Tilly strenghtens business development team

BAKER Tilly has appointed Paul Bator to lead its business development team in the Central region.

Bator has 15 years’ experience in the accounting and professional services industry, having originally trained in the audit department of a big four accountancy firm before moving into business development. More recently, he has been responsible for business development in the Midlands and across Yorkshire for accountancy firm Grant Thornton.

In his new role, Bator will lead on business development strategy within the region, and manage the Marketing and Business Development team in the Central area.

Simon Hart, Baker Tilly’s Regional Managing Partner for the Central region said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to Baker Tilly. Not only is he a highly experienced business development and marketing professional in accountancy sector, but he also knows the challenges businesses face in the central region very well. I have no doubt he will be an asset to the team and I look forward to working with him going forward.”

New managing partner for JW Hinks

BIRMINGHAM-based chartered accountants JW Hinks has unveiled Neal Aston (left)as its new managing partner.

He takes over from the firm’s current managing partner, Paul Jones (right), who has been behind much of JW Hinks’ success over the last seven years.

Aston joined JW Hinks, then John W Hinks & Co, in 1984 as an audit junior and has spent the last three decades working his way up to the position of managing partner.

During his time at the firm he has seen the practice undergo two mergers and even met his wife Carole at the firm in 1987, before marrying her in 1992.

He said: “Having joined JW Hinks in 1984 as an audit junior I feel immensely proud to be taking over as managing partner. I have seen a lot of changes over the years and am looking forward to some exciting times ahead for the firm.”

Despite, stepping down as managing partner, Paul Jones, will remain a partner at the firm and continue to be involved in the development and success of JW Hinks.