Northumberland-based accountancy firm Greaves West and Ayre (GWA) has promoted one of its Financial Planners to become a partner of the firm.

Tax planning specialist Joseph Findlay became a partner of the firm on 1 June. He first joined the accountancy firm in 2019.

He specialises in tax planning, lifetime gifting, capital gains tax and income tax planning and advises owner-managed businesses, individuals and charities.

Mr Findlay holds a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and a Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management from the Chartered Insurance Institute. He also qualified as a Chartered Accountant with ICAS in June 2022.

He said: “My goal has always been to assist local businesses and individuals, which Greaves West & Ayre has been doing successfully for over 100 years.  I am delighted to be joining the Partnership and look forward to contributing further to both the firm, and the wider business community.”

Promoted to partner alongside Mr Findlay is ACA qualified Chartered Accountant Matthew Taylor, who also joined the firm in 2019.

Mr Taylor works within the tax department, specialising in compliance and tax planning. He also offers guidance on estate planning, lifetime gifting and trust management.

Colin Frame, partner at GWA, said: “Joseph and Matthew are great examples of our approach to recruiting and training. Both of them joined the firm as trainees, and through their hard work, with support from our wider team, they have earned this promotion. As Partners, they will continue their professional development for many years. I wish them many congratulations”.

GWA is based on Berwick-upon-Tweed and is the region’s largest Chartered Accountancy firm. The firm also has an office in Haddington. It has an in-house team of financial services and IT managed services team.