Appointments: Deloitte; Leeds Building Society; James Legal; International Personal Finance

BUSINESS advisory firm Deloitte has promoted two of its Yorkshire tax experts.

Peter White and Arran Taylor have both been promoted from director to partner in the Leeds office.

Mr White, who joined Deloitte in 1997 and was previously with Arthur Andersen, is part of the large financial services practice and heads up the North East indirect tax team, which includes 25 VAT specialists.

Mr Taylor is a partner in the corporate tax team and leads its tax management consulting practice in the region. He has been with Deloitte for 14 years and is a graduate of Leeds University.

Andrew Coticelli, head of tax for Deloitte in the North, said: “The promotions of Peter and Arran are well-deserved. They are great assets to us and our clients, and they will help ensure Deloitte’s tax teams continue to make a significant impact in the region.”

Deloitte has promoted 75 people to partner in the UK, with 23 being based outside London.

Martin Jenkins, practice senior partner at Deloitte in Yorkshire, added: “The promotions – our largest-ever annual intake of partners – are part of a major investment in our services and in our people. They demonstrate the confidence we have about the growth opportunities that lie ahead.”

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LEEDS BUILDING SOCIETY has added to its strategic planning team with the hire of a new strategic planning lead.

Craig Macfarlane joins the Society from Aldermore Bank, where he was working on the financial and corporate plan whilst supporting the bank through its recent Initial Public Offering (IPO).

During his career, Mr Macfarlane also spent 14 years in planning, reporting and decision support at National Australia Bank.

“I am delighted to welcome Craig to Leeds Building Society’s strategic planning team,” said Alison Port, Leeds Building Society’s chief strategy officer.

“He will be involved in managing our corporate plan process and further developing the insight and analysis the team produces.”

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A BUOYANT market is putting increased demand on the property department at Hull- based firm James Legal.

The team is continuing to expand with the new appointment of expert property solicitor Rachael Noton.

After studying Law with French at the University of Leicester, Ms Noton completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York in 2007. She previously worked at Rollits and QualitySolicitors Lockings.

Kelly Bannister, who heads up James Legal’s property department, said: “Our property department is enjoying a boom with the number of transactions having grown substantially over the last 12 months. Rachael is a very welcome addition, her knowledge and experience is already proving a hit with our clients. Within the James Legal Team Rachael fits really well as yet another quality team player.”

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JAYNE ALMOND has joined the board of credit lender International Personal Finance as an independent non-executive director.

Ms Almond has more than 20 years’ experience in insurance and financial services. She set up equity release firm Stonehaven in 2006 and was executive chairman until 2014, when the firm was acquired by MGM Advantage group.

Ms Almond was previously managing director of Barclays Home Finance business, group marketing director at Lloyds TSB, and managing director of Lloyds TSB’s European Internet banking business.

In her earlier career she worked for Shell, and was a senior partner at LEK Consulting, in charge of its financial service practice worldwide.

Ms Almond is an experienced non-executive director having been a non-executive director of various companies, including Aldermore. She is currently on the Council of Oxford University and chair of its Audit and Scrutiny Committee and a reporting member of the Competition and Markets Authority.

Dan O’Connor, chairman of Leeds-based IPF, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jayne as a non-executive director, given her extensive financial services experience. We look forward to her contribution to the board with her strong background in the areas of consumer finance, marketing and strategy.”