People: Accountancy firm makes partner promotions; Senior hire for Colliers; and more

Jenny Hurst and Dean Pearson have been promoted to partner at BHP, the independent firm of Chartered Accountants.

Hurst is part of BHP’s healthcare team, which advises over 90 GP practices, around 450 locums and 140 dentists on accounting and a comprehensive range of specialist advisory services including tax planning, mergers, succession planning and NHS pensions.  She has worked at BHP for 21 years and has grown an extensive client portfolio.

With over 20 years accounting and tax experience, Pearson has played an integral role within BHP’s tax practice for the last nine years, helping to grow the business substantially. He specialises across the region in corporation tax relief for innovation, including research and development (R&D) tax claims.

Working for SMEs, owner managed businesses and larger corporations within every sector, Pearson advises them on how to reduce corporation tax liabilities through pre-year end planning, R&D claims and maximising capital allowances. He also undertakes extensive property transaction work as well as providing advice on a whole range of corporate structuring, approved share schemes and succession planning.

John Warner, managing partner at BHP, which employs more than 300 people across five offices, says: “Jenny and Dean are both well-liked and respected professionals who excel in their own specialist areas. At BHP we always recognise people who are committed to providing the very best levels of advice to an ever expanding client base, and are delighted to invest in their futures by promoting them to partner level.”

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Colliers International has appointed a new director to join its rating team in Leeds, covering Yorkshire and the North East.

Andrew Stacey joins Colliers from Telereal Trillium and has been dealing with rating appeals since the 1973 Rating List, covering a broad range of sectors including retail, offices, industrial and leisure. In his new role at Colliers International, he will work closely with fellow director, Mick O’Donoghue as well as graduate surveyor, Alastair Dyson from the firm’s Yorkshire base at 1 Broad Gate on The Headrow in Leeds.

O’Donoghue said: “Andrew will be a valued addition to the Leeds team. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, having previously worked as a Surveyor in estate management and residential/mixed use development earlier in his career. I look forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen our offering and provide quality all round business rates advice to our range of clients across the region.”
 

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Leeds College of Building CEO and principal Ian Billyard has announced his intention to retire after 22 years at the institution.

Billyard, a former building surveyor, has been CEO & Principal since March 2003 following his internal promotion from the position of deputy principal which he held since April 1996.

He said:“It has been an enormous privilege to have worked with such an outstanding team of staff and Governors. During this time the College has changed considerably; both in response to industry and the FE sector and I feel it’s in great shape for the future.

“The College has grown from under £2m turnover to nearly £20m and with phase 2 of the Hunslet Campus well underway, we will shortly have half our estate in start-of-the-art modern buildings. This has been achieved by supporting each other and remaining resolute in the presence of external pressures.

“It is always difficult to make such a big decision, especially when you enjoy the job as much as I do, but I feel that stepping down now provides me with the opportunity to do other things and for the College to embrace the next stage in its development.”

Andrew Iveson, chair of governors, said:“During his time here, Ian has led the college through some challenging periods whilst developing the curriculum and business base. This has enabled us to maintain independence as the only specialist construction college in the country.

“His leadership and strategic planning has ensured that the college is in the right places to influence national and local developments in construction and FE, whilst driving operational and financial performance that has resulted in the College being in a strong position going forward.

“The board are grateful to him for all his hard work over the years in supporting students to achieve their aspirations – and stakeholders to engage with us – to ensure that the construction sector is supported and developed in the Leeds City Region and beyond.”