Top UK accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its leadership team with seven senior promotions across Scotland and the North East of England. 

The seven senior promotions are among 55 promotions effective across the business this month and brings the total number promoted at Johnston Carmichael this year to 143.  

Business advisory specialist Raemond Jappy, who is based in Aberdeen, becomes Partner, and there are six Director promotions:  

• Lisa Thomson (Audit), also based in Aberdeen 
• Louise Mair (Audit), in Edinburgh 
• Allyson Banford (Audit), Jordan Haldane (Financial Reporting Advisory Services) and Greg Sutherland (Tax), in Glasgow 
• Glen Small (VAT and Duty), in Newcastle. 

Raemond – known to colleagues and clients as Rae - joined Johnston Carmichael in 2006 as a student on the firm’s graduate programme. Having specialised in audit for many years, in 2021 he moved to Business Advisory and now plays a key role in the team that provides Johnston Carmichael’s Outsourced Finance Services.  

He has worked with a wide range of businesses, from start-ups to large privately owned businesses and private equity, across a variety of sectors including energy – specialising in renewables - tech, and food and drink. Rae recently completed Johnston Carmichael’s in-house Leadership Programme, which the newly promoted directors have also participated in or are currently enrolled in.  

Rae said: “I am extremely proud to be joining the firm’s partner group and look forward to playing a significant role in the future of the business as we continue to grow.  

“I’ve benefited from working with some brilliant colleagues who have guided me as I grew my career, and I have been able to access fantastic learning and development opportunities.   

“After starting out as a graduate, I hope I show how it’s possible to achieve your career ambitions at Johnston Carmichael.” 

Each of the seven have achieved professional qualifications equivalent to a masters degree. 

Rae, Louise, Allyson and Jordan obtained chartered accountant (CA) status after completing their ICAS (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland) qualifications with Johnston Carmichael, while Lisa was a CA prior to joining Johnston Carmichael as a supervisor in 2016. 

Glen Small, who joined the firm in 2022, is CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser) qualified. In 2019, Glen was awarded the Chartered Institute of Tax (CIOT) North East England Prize for the highest overall score achieved by newly qualified CTA members. Greg is ATT (Association of Tax Technicians) qualified.  

Martin Osler, Chief People Officer, said: “We have an inclusive culture where we encourage everyone to be a leader of their work and their learning. It is encouraging to see so many people who joined our firm as Graduates, grow their careers with us and become senior leaders.  

“Our Leadership Programme challenges our people to think differently about themselves and their performance and to reflect on how they can achieve their career ambitions while embedding a high-performance philosophy in our firm. Each of these promotions exemplifies these principles.  

“Congratulations to everyone who achieved promotion in our firm this year and we look forward to seeing them help to sustain our success.”