Independent accounting and business advisory firm HURST has announced two promotions in its tax team.

Sam Ryan, who joined HURST in 2022, has been promoted to tax manager. He works with clients on a range of matters, including transactions, due diligence and restructuring.

Liza Whiley, who moved to HURST in 2021, has become an associate tax manager. She has a dual role, covering personal tax advisory and research and development.

HURST partner Liz Gallagher, head of the tax team, said: “Sam and Liza are integral to the success of our tax advisory department and have both contributed significantly to what will be our best-ever year.

“As a firm, it’s important that we recognise their hard work and dedication as they progress their tax careers with us.

“In addition to reflecting their individual contributions to the business, their promotions underline our commitment to helping colleagues actively develop their careers with us.

“On a personal level, I’m delighted that Sam and Liza have made these important career steps with HURST and I and look forward to working with them as we go forward to the next phase of our firm’s growth.”

HURST focuses on advising entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses with turnover of £10m and above across all sectors. Clients include Kinaxia Logistics, M&I Materials, Beechfield Brands, Duerr’s, Oliver Valves, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Krones UK, Creamline Dairies, Arighi Bianchi, Scapa Group and Hyde Group.

The tax team promotions follow a raft of recent promotions in HURST’s business services team. Four of those five individuals began their careers with the firm as trainees.

HURST is due to move its head office to a new flagship development in Stockport in the spring to accommodate its growing team.

The firm is taking 11,000sq ft at 3 Stockport Exchange, the latest phase of a £145m project by Muse Developments and Stockport Council.

HURST is taking a 10-year lease and will occupy the entire fifth floor at the building. It has been based since 1998 in Tiviot Dale in Stockport town centre, but has outgrown those premises.

The new HQ will give the firm scope to expand from 120 staff to around 170, which it aims to achieve over the next three years.