INDEPENDENT accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has added to its leadership team with eight new promotions, including one new partner and seven new directors.

The firm, which operates across the UK and is part of the PKF International network, saw 36 promotions in December, bringing the total number of people being promoted across the business this year to 70.

Barry Masson, who is based in Edinburgh, has been promoted to the position of partner, effective from 1 December.

Barry, who qualified as a CA in 2003, joined Johnston Carmichael in 2014 and has been integral to growing the firm’s audit practice and, in particular, in developing their financial reporting advisory offering.

Barry helps clients navigate increasing complexity in financial reporting through the provision of a range of services including accounting technical advice, preparation of complex financial statements, and offering additional support to the clients’ in-house finance teams.

The seven new directors include Michael McAllister who leads the payroll team, based in Glasgow; Inverness-based Allison Dalton and Martin Bannerman from the audit team; tax adviser Gillian McColgan based in Aberdeen; innovations taxes specialist Andrew McMillan, based in Dundee; and Jane Mitchell based in Inverurie and Gavin Paterson based in Edinburgh, both from the firm’s business advisory team.

The news comes soon after the announcement of three new office heads for the firm in Aberdeen, Inverness and Forfar as part of its long-term succession plan.

Andrew Walker, chief executive at Johnston Carmichael, said: “We are thoroughly committed to supporting our talented employees right across the firm and I absolutely believe that we are nurturing some of the very best talent in the industry.

“Those individuals who have been promoted have been at the vanguard of efforts to guide our clients during the coronavirus pandemic, through what has been an undeniably challenging time for the business community.

“I’d like to congratulate each and every colleague who has been promoted this year. They are all extremely deserving of the recognition and I am certain that they will continue to drive the firm forwards as we enter 2021.”

Johnston Carmichael has 13 offices across the UK. The promotions bring the total number of partners at the firm to 59.