Scotland’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Johnston Carmichael, has announced four key appointments to its senior team, effective from December 1, as part of the firm’s growth strategy across Scotland.
In the tax team, Alex Docherty from the firm’s Edinburgh office and John McAuslin based in Glasgow have been promoted to the position of partner, whilst Aberdeen-based Stephen McIlwaine and Paul Cochrane from Glasgow take on the position of director – in Audit and Tax departments respectively.
Sandy Manson, chief executive of Johnston Carmichael, said: “I am delighted to announce these promotions to strengthen our senior team. Rewarding our people for the significant contributions they make to the business demonstrates the emphasis Johnston Carmichael places on career development. Providing opportunities for our employees to progress is extremely important to us, and these well-deserved promotions recognise the hard work and dedication shown by each individual.
“Johnston Carmichael continues to grow in capability and expertise. I have no doubt that our new partners and directors will play a major role in the future success of our business by providing exceptional service to our clients and further developing the talented and engaged people in our wider team.”
The promotions bring the total number of partners at Johnston Carmichael up to 58.
Background to the promotions:
Partner promotions:
- Alex Docherty started her career over 14 years ago as a tax trainee in Belfast. Alex joined Johnston Carmichael in October 2012 and specialises in all aspects of private client tax, with a focus on providing solutions for her clients and their businesses through tax efficient structuring. Alex heads up Johnston Carmichael’s Trust team and is the tax lead within the firm’s Agricultural Sector.
- John McAuslin joined Johnston Carmichael in 2013 having trained and worked for a ‘Big 4’ firm since 1999. During this time John qualified both as a CA and CTA focusing on corporate tax. His experience includes mergers and acquisitions, structuring and group reorganisations, corporation tax compliance and corporate tax planning. He has provided advice to a broad spectrum of clients from individual entrepreneurs, owner managed businesses, partnerships and co-operatives, to large listed multinational groups.
Director promotions:
- Paul Cochrane has worked in VAT for over 15 years and specialises in international services, property, the public sector and the food and leisure industries. Paul also has responsibility for the firm’s Customs and Excise Duties service offering, with a particular focus on craft brewing and distilling. Paul studied Economics at Strathclyde University before joining HM Customs and Excise as a VAT compliance officer. He left the public sector to join PwC where he completed the ATT qualification and joined Johnston Carmichael in 2007.
- Stephen McIlwaine joined Johnston Carmichael in 2011, having previously been with ‘Big 4’ accountancy practices both in the Channel Islands and, more recently, Aberdeen. Having qualified as an Irish Chartered Accountant in 2004, Stephen has significant audit, accountancy and advisory experience across a range of industries. He also assists the firm’s technical accounting function and in 2014 passed the diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards with distinction.
Johnston Carmichael has strong expertise in 14 key industry sectors, and more than 630 partners and staff based across its 11 strategic locations in Scotland, making it one of the top 20 accountancy firms in the UK.