Ray Abercromby and Andrew Cockman join the Azets tax team

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has made two senior appointments in its Midlands Tax team, welcoming Andrew Cockman as Tax Director and Ray Abercromby as Tax Partner.

The appointments of Andrew and Ray further enhance Azets’ specialist expertise, as it continues to expand in the Midlands as part of its regional growth strategy. It represents a milestone in the development of Azets’ Midlands tax team, which has doubled in size over the past 12 months.

Andrew Cockman has worked for three of the Big Four firms in a tax career spanning almost 40 years. He joins Azets from AMC Tax Consulting Ltd, where he was a Tax Director. Andrew has extensive experience in UK inheritance tax, UK resident and offshore trust taxation, and non-UK domiciles. He is Fellow of the Institute of Taxation, a member of the Association of Tax Technicians, a Trust and Estate Practitioner, and a non-practicing solicitor. He is also a member of the Private Client Committee of the Tax Faculty of the ICAEW.

Ray Abercromby joins Azets from Smith & Williamson, where he has spent the last 14 years working on corporate reconstructions, creating and heading up a national specialist structuring team. Prior to that, Ray spent 12 years with PwC. Ray specialises in M&A, corporate & shareholder reconstructions, and real estate tax, with a number of national and international property clients, and has led the tax work on several capital markets transactions. He has specific expertise in the drinks sector having held a number of non-executive positions with wine companies.

Clare Clifford, Head of Tax with Azets, said: “We welcome Andrew and Ray to Azets’ senior Tax team, which is growing rapidly as we continue to create a wide range of opportunities not just in the Midlands but throughout the UK. Andrew and Ray are two respected advisors with significant experience and are valued additions to the Azets family.”

Andrew Cockman, Tax Director with Azets, said: “I am delighted to join Azets and motivated by the prospect of working with such a dynamic and collaborative group of people. I look forward to helping deliver the firm’s long-term strategy to keep growing by developing people and attracting more of the most talented specialist advisors.” 

Ray Abercromby, Tax Partner with Azets, said: “I’d like to thank Clare and the team for their warm welcome. I’m pleased to have joined Azets and it’s a privilege to be part of a growing business that is proactively investing in its people and services.”

Azets is investing heavily in infrastructure and systems to will help its staff flourish in their careers, including the ability to ‘WFA’ – Work from Anywhere – which is essential as the Top 10 firm embraces the hybrid workplace model.

Clare Clifford added: “Azets recently announced plans to double its national revenue during the next five years and we have created 650 additional jobs, 100 of which are available in the Midlands. Now is one of the best times to start a career in accountancy and an exciting time to join Azets. I am hopeful our diverse range of flexible working arrangements, including term-time, part time and reduced weekly hours may encourage others who have had time out from their career to consider taking a step back into the profession.”