Appointments: KPMG, fds Director Services, XSEM, Ascensor

KPMG has confirmed Leeds-based partner Adrian Stone as its UK head of audit, having held the role on an interim basis since November.

He succeeds Tony Cates, who now leads KPMG’s International Markets and Government practice.

Mr Stone joined KPMG’s Sheffield office as a graduate in 1984 and has been an audit partner, based largely in the firm’s Leeds office, since 1997.  He has previously held a number of senior roles in KPMG’s audit practice including Head of Audit for the North of England and Scotland, Chief Operating Officer for the UK audit practice, Head of Internal Audit and Head of KPMG’s Department of Professional Practice.

Mr Stone said: “Audit faces a time of huge change and opportunity as wide ranging regulatory reforms take effect prompting unprecedented levels of tendering activity, and increasing use of data and analytics transforms the audit process.

“A focus on quality and on harnessing new technology in our audits has helped us to grow our market share and I firmly believe that KPMG’s audit practice is well placed to continue its success.”

Simon Collins, chairman of KPMG in the UK, added: “He is one of our most experienced audit partners and has led key areas of our audit business.  I am confident that under his leadership the practice will continue to grow and flourish.”

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WAKEFIELD’S fds Director Services Limited has promoted corporate finance executive Sarah Chadwick.

Ms Chadwick has been with the company for 18 months, joining as a course co-ordinator.

She has become involved in the corporate finance side of the business and has now been promoted to the role of corporate finance executive.

fds has also announced the appointment of Katy Lyons as a course co-ordinator.

The business celebrated its 25th year this year.

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CONFERENCE and events specialist XSEM has added a trio to its team.

Sarah Davenport joins as XSEM’s first sales and marketing manager, working with director Michael Gwilliam on new business opportunities.

Yorkshire-based conference and event specialist, XSEM has kicked off 2016 by adding three new faces to its team.
The Leeds outfit has increased its staff to 14 full time members with the addition of Anna Houghton, and Sarah Davenport.

Victoria Blackburn arrives as senior project manager with more than 17 years’ experience in the events industry.

She has worked as a freelance consultant for the likes of Vista, Fresh and Ashfield Meetings and Events, delivering a wide portfolio of projects in the pharmaceutical, automotive, financial and retail industries.

Anna Houghton joins as project manager at XSEM having worked with Best Western and Hilton Hotel groups. Her most recent role was as customer relationship manager at Calder Conferences.

XSEM director and co-owner, Michael Gwilliam, said: “It’s wonderful to kick off 2016 with three brilliantly qualified new faces in Sarah, Victoria and Anna.

“They bring with them a depth of experience, skill and talent that I know will help us achieve our goals over the next 12 months.”

Mr Gwilliam said: “The whole team has maintained a strong focus on delivering professional and unforgettable solutions for our growing list of clients.

“Our goal at XSEM has always been to develop mutually beneficial partnerships, and not just one-off solutions for clients. The approach has paid dividends and the varied destination list proves our ambitions go hand in hand with our clients’ own objectives.

“It’s really exciting to be able to add to the team with some wonderfully experienced and talented individuals.”

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DIGITAL agency Ascensor has appointed Iwelina Soroko to its finance department.

Iwelina works with the firm as finance manager, offering useful communication links to the Polish base which was acquired in 2014.

She also provides financial management to the other businesses in the group including Smarter Retail, the online retailer of homewares and gifts.

Managing director of Ascensor, Andrew Firth, commented: “As a very fast growing businesses with a multi-site operation it is very important that we have a real time view of finances. It is advantageous that Iwa is Polish and so we have been able to reduce administration time in Poland and centralise finances from the UK office.

“We have been very impressed with Iwa’s progression, and even though she is not yet a fully qualified accountant, Ascensor will be providing support to allow Iwa to complete her exams. The pace of growth within the businesses means that we expect to be adding another book-keeper into the businesses before the end of 2016.”