Promotions see Mazars extend its reach in the region

The changes see partners David Smithson, Ian Wrightson, Oliver Hoffman and Rob Adamson all take a step up. Mr Smithson, previously managing partner for the northern region, covering Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow, becomes a member of the UK executive board.

Mr Wrightson takes the role of northern region managing partner in succession to Mr Smithson. Mr Hoffman, a corporate finance partner, who has spent ten years with Mazars, follows Mr Wrightson as Leeds office managing partner, as well as being made national head of corporate finance.

He has been advising on M&A transactions for 18 years, helping clients buy and sell businesses both in the UK and internationally.

Restructuring partner Rob Adamson is now northern head of restructuring services.

Sheffield-based health insurance provider Westfield Health has strengthened its marketing department with the appointment of Ruth Connor as head of marketing communications.

She has more than 15 years’ experience working in the health insurance and marketing sector. Her previous employers include Legal & General, Abbey National and Bupa.

Meanwhile, Leeds-based Hatch Communications has promoted James Hickman and Matt Peden, both of whom have been at the agency since its launch in 2008, to directors of the business, sitting on the board alongside Hatch’s founder and managing director, Jason Madeley.

Elsewhere, Roger Gibbeson has been appointed general manager of Electronics Yorkshire, a not-for-profit organisation which provides testing and training for electronics-related industries.

And Esholt-based Professional Packaging Services sees Chris Milnes join as business development manager across global markets, while Grant McIvor has been appointed as business development manager for Scottish markets.