Leading accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of two Aberdeen-based partners.
Audit Partner Jenny Junnier joined Johnston Carmichael in 2021. A trusted adviser and experienced auditor, she specialises in Private Finance Initiative entities and North East corporates operating within the energy transition sector.
Jenny has Responsible Individual (RI) status and is a Public Interest Entity (PIE) auditor. Over the last year she has successfully led an in-house training initiative to enhance the critical thinking skills of the firm’s early careers Audit team, as well as building on their technical knowledge.
She is also a co-founder of Aberdeen’s AXIS network, which was established to increase diversity in the energy sector.
Max Chassels, Private Client Tax Partner, has been at Johnston Carmichael since 2019. He works with clients across the North East and the UK, leading the delivery of private client transaction work including advising sellers and buyers on the tax implications of MBOs, MBIs, and trade sales, as well as the design and implementation of management incentive plans. Max is a regular speaker at tax seminars and workshops.
Both Max and Jenny have completed the firm’s Master’s-accredited Leadership Programme.
Joining Jenny and Max as partners are Martin Osler, Chief People Officer, who joined the firm in 2021 and is responsible for Johnston Carmichael’s people and culture strategy, and Lesley Hopwood, who also moves from the role of Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer. Lesley began her career as a graduate at the firm in 2011.
Joining the senior promotions is Claire Forrest, who has been promoted to Business Advisory Director. Claire joined Johnston Carmichael in 2022 and manages almost 170 clients.
In total, Johnston Carmichael has promoted 65 people across its business this month, adding to 97 people already promoted this year. Almost 20% of its people have been promoted over this calendar year.
Lynne Walker, CEO, Johnston Carmichael, said:
“We are very proud to welcome two new Aberdeen partners to our leadership team. This follows two other Partner promotions in Aberdeen in the last 12 months.
“Aberdeen is one of our most important regional hubs, with over 150 people based at our office in the city, helping to service more than 1,100 clients, ranging from locally founded owner operated businesses to international energy companies.
“At Johnston Carmichael we encourage our people to be leaders of their own learning and careers. Jenny and Max are great examples of this approach as experts in their respective disciplines, but what makes them stand out is the abundance of energy and innovation they bring to the firm and the impact they have.
“I look forward to hearing their fresh perspectives and ideas for the future as we embark on our ambitious vision of building success stories that change lives both in the North East and across the UK.”
Mark Houston, Senior Partner and Chair at Johnston Carmichael, said:
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“At Johnston Carmichael, we take great pride in fostering the next generation of business leaders, recognising that their development is essential to our ongoing success. By cultivating a supportive learning environment, we are shaping a positive workplace culture that lays the foundation for the future of the firm.
“These promotions are a testament to their skills, dedication, and collaborative efforts in driving our refreshed strategy and supporting our continued growth across the UK. I look forward to watching them continue to progress their careers at Johnston Carmichael.”
