City accountants appoint two new staff members

Apr 8 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

TWO new faces have joined Newcastle accountants unw as it looks to enhance its client offering.

Mark Hetherington has been appointed specialist VAT partner and Alan Suggett, who arrives from Baker Tilly in the city, will head the accounting services team.

With more than 20 years of VAT experience with HMRC and a Big 4 firm, Mark says he was drawn to unw because of its growing reputation.

“I was very happy in my former role but the opportunity to join unw was too good to turn down. I have watched unw’s development with interest over the years and have been impressed by feedback from their clients.

“The team they have built combines experience and specialist skills together with a culture of building relationships and delivering high levels of service. It is a great proposition for clients which hopefully I can add to.

“Unw’s emphasis on putting clients first ties in extremely well with my own philosophy of creating, building and maintaining relationships with clients.”

Two of Mark’s clients in his most recent post were able to secure VAT refunds of £750k and £1.35m respectively. He added: “Any business should always ensure they have access to specialist VAT advice.”

Partner Steve Lant, said: “Mark is recognised as being a first-rate VAT specialist on the national stage. Without exception, I have always been impressed in my dealings with him and we are delighted that he has chosen to join our growing team.”

Mark has been joined by Alan Suggett from Baker Tilly Newcastle where he was the partner in charge of the accounting services department.

Before that he co-lead a management buyout of most of the former Binder Hamlyn office from Andersens to form the independent firm Forrestals. Alan will head unw’s accounting services team and will roll out unw’s strategic planning programme aimed mainly at owner managed businesses.