Johnston Carmichael is appointing a new chair and vice chair as the business looks to the future and drives forward its growth ambitions.
Mark Houston, partner and head of the business advisory and accountancy firm's Glasgow office, is stepping up from his current role as vice chair to chair.
Joining the firm as a director in 2006, became partner in 2008, and was selected to lead the Glasgow office in 2011, before being appointed to the board in 2013.
Lynne Walker, partner and head of business advisory, has been appointed vice chair.
Based out of the Elgin and Inverness offices, she started as a newly-qualified chartered accountant in the audit team 17 years ago. After becoming audit director in 2014, Walker was promoted to oversee business advisory services, becoming head of business advisory in 2017 and partner in 2019. She was among three partners to join the board last year.
The pair take up their roles as Sandy Manson, the existing chair, retires at the end of the month, after 31 years at the firm.
Chief executive for 12 years, he saw the firm grow from 350 people and revenues of £18m, to a Top 20 UK accountancy firm and revenues of £49m. Manson was appointed chair and head of client service in 2019.
Houston said: “Sandy’s retirement is the end of an era at Johnston Carmichael, and we wish him the very best for the next chapter of his life. He has been an extraordinary leader and inspiration to all in our business.
“Our focus for the future is on investing in the learning and development of our people and our leadership culture, ensuring we continue to deliver the high performance and high-quality services that distinguish us in the marketplace.”
Walker added: “The business has been fantastically supportive of my career since I joined 17 years ago, and I am committed to supporting the next generation of leaders of the firm.
“In particular, I want to encourage more opportunities for our people to engage directly with the board, so we ensure a two-way flow of communications in order to provide the best possible environment for success.”
Manson added: “We have always believed in building and passing the firm on to the next generation so they in turn can take the firm to new levels.
“Mark and Lynne have outstanding leadership capabilities and their appointments will help ensure Johnston Carmichael goes from strength to strength as an independent firm.”
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