Senior appointments strengthen Azets ' Midlands tax team

Azets, the regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has made two senior appointments in its Midlands tax team.

The firm has welcomed Andrew Cockman as tax director and Ray Abercromby as tax partner.

The appointments of Andrew and Ray further enhance Azets ' specialist expertise, as it continues to expand in the Midlands as part of its regional growth strategy.

Andrew (pictured) has worked for three of the Big Four firms in a tax career spanning almost 40 years.

He joins Azets from AMC Tax Consulting Ltd, where he was a tax director.

Andrew has extensive experience in UK inheritance tax, UK resident and offshore trust taxation, and non-UK domiciles.

He is fellow of the Institute of Taxation, a member of the Association of Tax Technicians, a Trust and Estate Practitioner, and a non-practicing solicitor.

He is also a member of the Private Client Committee of the Tax Faculty of the ICAEW.

Ray joins Azets from Smith & Williamson, where he has spent the last 14 years working on corporate reconstructions, creating and heading up a national specialist structuring team.

Prior to that, Ray spent 12 years with PwC. He specialises in M&A, corporate & shareholder reconstructions, and real estate tax, with a number of national and international property clients, and has led the tax work on several capital markets transactions.

He has specific expertise in the drinks sector having held a number of non-executive positions with wine companies.

Clare Clifford, head of tax with Azets, said: “We welcome Andrew and Ray to Azets ' senior Tax team, which is growing rapidly as we continue to create a wide range of opportunities not just in the Midlands but throughout the UK.

“Andrew and Ray are two respected advisors with significant experience and are valued additions to the Azets family. ”

Andrew said: “I am delighted to join Azets and motivated by the prospect of working with such a dynamic and collaborative group of people.

“I look forward to helping deliver the firm 's long-term strategy to keep growing by developing people and attracting more of the most talented specialist advisors. ”

Ray said: “I 'd like to thank Clare and the team for their warm welcome. I 'm pleased to have joined Azets and it 's a privilege to be part of a growing business that is proactively investing in its people and services. ”