Senior appointment leads raft of promotions as growing Forensic Accounting team extends regional presence

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has appointed Heidi Webster to Forensic Accounting Director, leading a raft of promotions and one new recruit into its growing specialist team in Birmingham.

The team, formed two and a half years ago with just two people, now has six members and is experiencing its busiest ever period, with the Covid-19 pandemic likely to be a future driving factor for further growth as more disputes and investigations are likely to arise.

Heidi Webster joined Azets from in October 2019 and has been appointed Director to take a lead on valuation services – including contentious and non-contentious business – and drive the specialism forward both in the Midlands and nationally. Heidi’s promotion follows Jaden Reynolds rise to Assistant Manager. Jaden, an original member of the Forensic Accounting team, joined from EY as a student in March 2019 and received support from Azets whilst completing his qualification.

Laurel Windsor, who joined Azets from Mazars in September 2019, has been promoted to Manager, whilst Neil Rudd has been appointed to Senior Manager after almost two years with the Top 10 firm. Ruhi Vilku joined Azets in March 2021 from BDO as Assistant Manager, with the Forensic Accounting specialism in Birmingham set for further growth as business continues to scale over the next 12 months.

Martin Chapman, Forensic Accounting Partner with Azets, said: “I’d like to congratulate Heidi and the entire team on their respective promotions, and welcome Ruhi to Azets at a time of unprecedented demand for the Forensic Accounting practice.

“In normal circumstances, an economic downturn can serve as a boom for forensic accountants; the Covid-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges and significantly altered the economy, increasing the volume and type of work we are undertaking. Our growing specialism has an important role to play as UK SMEs continue to feel the impact and we will continue to work closely with clients in the Midlands and right across the UK.”

As Azets grows its Birmingham forensic team it continues to expand its regional Forensic Accounting presence throughout the UK, with specialist teams also being built in the North East, North West, and London.