New Job Alert: Client Executive - Public Affairs and Corporate Communications

Client Executive – Public Affairs and Corporate Communications

Apply By: Friday 17 June 2022 by 5pm

Brown O’Connor Communications - CIPR Northern Ireland Small Consultancy of the Year 2021/2022

  • Position: CLIENT EXECUTIVE

  • Experience: 0-1 years (Would suit recent graduate)

  • Area: Public Affairs and Corporate Communications  

  • Salary: Competitive

  • Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications, the CIPR Northern Ireland Small Consultancy of the Year, is seeking a talented Client Executive.

This is an exciting role within an ambitious company requiring a resilient individual with emerging leadership qualities to join the team. 

You will have a deep interest in politics, business and the media and have a developing understanding of the role that public affairs, media relations and stakeholder relations plays.

Once you join the Brown O’Connor team, you’ll be signed up as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and enrolled on the Continuous Professional Development programme.

About Brown O’Connor Communications 

CIPR Consultancy of the Year Judging Panel – “the agency may be relatively young, but it’s building a stellar client list”

Brown O’Connor is an ambitious and trusted public affairs led communications consultancy based in Belfast City Centre. We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, ministers, and commercial decision makers. 

We have a track record for managing and delivering complex communications programmes for some of the UK and Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, GB, Republic of Ireland and the US.

We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development. 

Client Executive Role Specification

Day to Day Delivery

· Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

· Working on political lobbying and public awareness campaigns supporting policy change, legislative change and the smooth running of political engagement programmes.

·  Political and Policy Monitoring of the NI Assembly, Westminster and Oireachtas.

· Writing editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

· Working with suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

· Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

· Well organised to ensure smooth running of client campaigns.

· Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

· Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

· A recent graduate or up to 1 year working in the areas of Public Affairs and/or Corporate Communications or within a communications environment.

· Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

· An excellent communicator both written and oral.

· Outstanding organisational skills..

· Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

· Clean driving licence and access to a car.

How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed answer to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Friday 17 June 2022.

Please state your name and ‘Brown O’Connor Client Executive 2022’ in the subject line.

Application Process

·Initial shortlisting

·Two stage interview

QUESTION 1: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

'Stable institutions vital to support new phase for fintech sector' writes Andrew Jenkins, Chair of FinTech NI

As originally appeared in The Irish News, 31 May 2022

Political stability has long been cited as one of the primary elements of consideration for Foreign Direct Investors. Well known for our level of skills, low cost of doing business and position as a global competitor in emerging technologies, there is no doubt Northern Ireland is being looked at by such investors. 

This is certainly the case within fintech. Multiple global technology companies have chosen to locate here as the sector developed in recent years to employ over 7,000 individuals and bring in £392m annually to the economy.

With a three-year strategy now in place, the industry has entered a new phase that is as much about encouraging indigenous growth among start-ups as it is about attracting the further £25m inward investment that is projected for the next three years.

This is a promising new chapter that comes in line with a fresh new political landscape at Stormont. Whatever the next political development, a new Assembly with a Programme for Government that commits to supporting fintech will be vital.

Through engagement across the ecosystem, we know the areas of work required to keep Northern Ireland competitive. At the inaugural NI FinTech Symposium in March, the start-ups, established fintechs, financial services companies and education providers made it clear they are ready for growth. So how can the Assembly and Executive support?

Skills and talent is an urgent area of concern in many cases. Northern Ireland has a strong pipeline of new talent, yet secondary cycling and scaling needs improvement and we continue to lose skilled professionals to other locations.

Reform of careers education is required, therefore, not only to direct young people towards the highly paid, rewarding careers we know exist, but to rewrite the damaging perception of risk that exists locally. A culture of entrepreneurship and encouragement to follow lesser-known career paths into areas of emerging technology is one that should be facilitated.

From there, progressing our current early-stage funding mechanisms on towards Series A and above is vital. SMEs currently venture outside of NI to access this and one of our biggest barriers to growth is a lack of scaling support for young fintechs. The appetite is there among founders to source their funding locally, so we must find a way to take investors in that direction. 

Lastly, strategic partnerships between start-ups, FDIs and regional banks will create greater opportunities more broadly. These three elements already exist in Northern Ireland, yet with little links between them, SMEs are left to look elsewhere for a strategic collaboration for growth. Aligning these key players and continuing our engagement across government, industry and education will coordinate the sector and provide a direct route for scaling up.

While we know what needs to be done, none of this is possible without support on a political level. Thousands more jobs can be created in fintech in the coming years as the sector builds momentum and the healthy start-up environment continues. We have the environment to attract more investment in; what we need now is the essential political stability and collaboration between business and government to level up fintech and boost the economy.

'Local manufacturing sector going strong despite volatility' writes Tony Murray, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies LLP

Tony Murray, Senior Vice President, Lockton Companies LLP

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 31 May 2022

As well as heralding in the summer, the end of May also signals the wrapping up of Manufacturing Month. The past four weeks have featured a busy schedule of events, conferences, workplace visits, webinars, engagement with schools, and plenty of content, all to celebrate and recognise the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland.

There’s no shortage of leading companies, manufacturers, or people within the local industry to highlight. And despite serious challenges before them, it’s extremely positive that the sector is confident and even burgeoning. The latest figures show that over half of manufacturers are currently experiencing growth, a remarkable figure given the period we’ve just come through and the general volatility within the market.

That is not to say that there aren’t problems currently for manufacturers to deal with. The cost of raw materials and energy are only going up, while labour and recruitment is a common headache across the industry. However, it’s often better the devil you know when dealing with challenges. While no one wants costs to spiral or to struggle in their recruitment processes, these are at least known issues which can be addressed head on. What is always more harmful, however, is uncertainty.

Uncertainty, post-election, over the Executive and the Assembly as well as the uncertainty over the Protocol. It’s an adage that businesses thrive on certainty. It’s also an undeniable truth that political stability is one of the key building blocks to attracting and cultivating investment. It’s crucial that these hurdles are overcome swiftly to support our makers and manufacturers as we come out the other side of the pandemic.

Lockton have been proud to sponsor Manufacturing Month, an invaluable initiative which highlights everything worth celebrating in our local engineering and manufacturing sector. The industry is one of the most important to our economy, bringing in almost £15bn each year and employing thousands. Manufacturers are investing in their staff, in their communities, and supporting households across the country. We lead the world in sectors like materials handling and crushing equipment while our reputation in food and drink, health and life sciences, and construction materials is globally renowned.

With more unpredictability and volatility across the wider economy than ever before, it’s vitally important that businesses have the correct advice and tools to stay ahead of the curve. At Lockton, we have a strong track record of supporting many local manufacturers, big and small, helping them navigate risk within the business landscape. We help them export and find new markets through trade credit insurance, we provide strong cover in the event of a cyber-attack, and we help facilitate business growth and expansion.

As Manufacturing Month wraps up for another year, it’s a welcome opportunity to reflect on another successful campaign. One which lifted up our makers and rightly shone a light on the talented and skilled people within the industry. With greater certainty and proper public sector backing, the sector can continue to go from strength to strength over the coming months and years.

Mental Health charity Inspires public to take part in Belfast Colour Run

Danielle Sheridan, Fundraising Manager at Inspire; and Marshall Angus from Dunelm, sponsors of the Colour Run.

Leading mental health and wellbeing charity, Inspire will host the Colour Run on Sunday 26 June at the Stormont Estate to raise money to support their services across Northern Ireland.

The 2.5/5k fun run, sponsored by Dunelm and in partnership with ArtsEkta, will see hundreds of members of the public run and walk the grounds of Stormont Estate while being covered in coloured powder in support of Inspire.

An inclusive event in the accessible grounds of the Stormont Estate, Inspire is encouraging everyone to join them on the day with family, friends and pets. Alongside the Colour Run itself, Inspire will showcase performances from ArtsEkta and food from a range of food and drink vendors.

Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Inspire, Alex Bunting said:

“We are delighted to be launching the Inspire Colour Run for what is set to be a fun-packed afternoon. The Colour Run originates from Eastern culture and the Holi, the festival of love, colour and new beginnings. We know that the past few years have been a difficult period and taken a particular toll on the mental health of many people across society. Our colour run is the perfect opportunity for families, friends and communities to come together and enjoy a day celebrating their resilience and unity while supporting mental wellbeing.

“We are looking forward to welcoming members of the public of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to what will be a great day. We’d like to thank our sponsor Dunelm and our partner ArtsEkta for their support.”

Head of Community at Dunelm, Janice Dunne said:

“We were so pleased to be asked to support this fantastic event as part of our partnership with Inspire. The Colour Run is an opportunity for people in the community to come together, have fun and is a great way to support mental wellbeing. Many of our store colleagues will be joining in on the day too!”

Executive Director of ArtsEkta Nisha Tandon OBE said: 

“We are delighted to support Inspire’s Colour Run event and highlight the importance of supporting mental wellbeing within our communities. To bring tradition to the event, we will be celebrating with Bollywood dancers and traditional Dhol Drummers. We are really looking forward to the day.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 30 May 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The Assembly will be recalled on Monday at noon, business will include the election of an Assembly Speaker and deputy Speaker and the appointment of a First and deputy First Minister.

  • The US Congressional delegation met with NI’s political parties to discuss post-Brexit trading arrangements.

  • The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday 8 June.

  • The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on Wednesday and is scheduled to have its Second Reading early next month.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has written to all political parties asking for them to nominate a representative to be briefed on health issues to allow the formation a shadow Health Committee.

  • Northern Ireland’s 2021 Census found that the population has increased by 5% over the past 10 years, rising to 1.903 million people. Equality statistics from the Census will be published in the Autumn.

  • Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy is expected to be nominated as the new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, at the Council’s AGM on 6 June.

  • University of Liverpool and Queen’s University Belfast’s report on Public Attitudes to Institutional Reform in Northern Ireland will be launched at Queen’s on Thursday 9 June.

  • Belfast City Council’s AGM is set to take place on 1 June, where the new Lord Mayor will be announced.

  • 30% of respondents in the NI Life & Times Survey said Irish unity was the best long-term policy following Brexit, a rise of 4% from 2020.

  • Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP said the British Government would prefer a negotiated outcome with the EU over NI Protocol issues.

  • The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons by a majority of 77.

  • Sustainable NI told the NI Affairs Committee that political instability and the lack of an Executive is putting inward investment in Northern Ireland at risk.

 Other Stories this week

  • Cllr Jill Macauley was appointed Chairwoman of the UUP following Danny Kennedy’s decision to step down.

  • The Department of Health allocated £46 million to tackle hospital waiting lists from April to September this year.

  • FinTru and Women in Business announced a three-year partnership to support female opportunities in the local tech industry.

  • Ulster University will host the European Association for Sport Management Conference in September 2023.

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announced a £400 payment for NI’s most vulnerable households amid the cost of living crisis.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 16 June, NI Chamber’s In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

  • 17 June, North West Business Awards, City Hotel Derry

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 24 June, NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch

  • 30 June, Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, Titanic Belfast

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference

  • 21 October, Belfast Chamber Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 4 – 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Consultations

Huge increase in demand for rehabilitation in the last six months, RCOT survey finds

A survey by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has found that its members have seen an 82% increase in demand for occupational therapy-led rehabilitation services in the UK over the last six months alone.

As the UK begins to ‘live with COVID’, already overstretched, rehabilitation services have seen demand rocket over the past two years due to the COVID pandemic and are now seeing a further rapid increase in patients. Northern Ireland’s Long Covid clinics launched in November 2021, with 439 people, aged 16 and over, being referred in the first month.

The findings raise questions about the prospects of providing timely rehabilitation, for people recovering from short and long term illnesses, and need urgent support to live independently and carry out their daily lives. The increase in demand for rehabilitation services places additional pressure on waiting lists in Northern Ireland, the worst in the UK.

The survey, which over 550 occupational therapists working across the UK took part in, found that:

  • 84% are supporting people whose needs have become more complex due to delayed interventions arising from the pandemic.

  • 82% of respondents noted increased demand for occupational therapy-led rehabilitation over the previous six months.

  • 71% of respondents felt there were not enough occupational therapists to meet demand.

  • 66% of respondents reported difficulties in delivering rehabilitation services due to reduced access to facilities, suitable space and equipment.

  • 50% are supporting people affected by Long Covid.

Commenting on the survey, RCOT Director of Practice and Innovation, Karin Orman said:

“It’s clear from this survey that rehabilitation services across the UK are overloaded, with the vast majority of occupational therapists seeing a huge increase in demand and complexity of their caseload over the last six months alone. This simply isn’t sustainable and there isn’t a big enough workforce to currently meet demand.”

“Health and social care leaders need to invest more in rehabilitation services in Northern Ireland and drive the recruitment of more occupational therapists as a matter of urgency. Not in a few years but now. As leaders of rehabilitation services, occupational therapists are a vital part of the solution to getting through the backlog of people needing intervention. The maths is simple – the quicker people have access to rehabilitation services, the better their chances at getting back to doing the things they need and love to do.”

Layla Moran MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, said:

“These new findings clearly show that the long-term impacts of the virus, including Long Covid, are exacerbating many of the challenges that occupational therapists are facing both in the NHS and beyond.”

“Healthcare professionals are bearing the brunt of UK Government inaction and as long as Ministers bury their heads in the sand and refuse to address the growing Long Covid crisis, our economy and essential services will be under even greater strain. They must commit more money for research and funding, and recognise the condition as an occupational disease.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 23 May 2022

Forward Look                                

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD will hold talks with party leaders today on the restoration of the Assembly.

  • The first statistics from the 2021 Census, including population figures, will be published on Tuesday.

  • Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP is expected to meet European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič next week to discuss the UK Government’s proposed Protocol amendments.

  • DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has said his party will not permit the nomination of a Speaker until “new and revised” GB-NI trading arrangements are in place.

  • The NI Fiscal Commission’s final report on Fiscal Devolution in Northern Ireland has stated that income tax powers could be devolved to the Executive by 2027, depending on political stability.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD has said that direct rule “cannot be accepted as an alternative” to a functioning NI Assembly and Executive.

  • Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis MP has undertaken new powers to speed up the commissioning of abortion services.

  • The Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill will take place on Tuesday.

  • Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has called on the Irish Government to establish an all-party Oireachtas committee on Irish unity.

  • A Belfast City Council Committee has called for people living in Northern Ireland to be given a vote in European parliamentary elections.

  • The final report by Sue Gray into Downing Street lockdown parties is expected next week following the conclusion of the Met Police investigation.

  • EU figures predict that Ireland will grow by 4.4% next year, making it the fastest growing economy in the bloc.

  • The Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Northern Ireland Companies 2021 will be published on Tuesday.

Other Stories this week

  • Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd was appointed interim Infrastructure Minister.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP met with leaders of the five main parties in Hillsborough.

  • Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University announced investments in digital technologies totalling £108 million.

  • Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer MP addressed local business leaders at a Trade NI event held in Westminster.

  • UK inflation reached a 40-year-high at 9.1%.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 24 May, Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Northern Ireland Companies 2021

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 17 June, North West Business Awards, City Hotel Derry

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 24 June, NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch

  • 30 June, Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, Titanic Belfast

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference

  • 21 October, Belfast Chamber Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 4 – 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Consultations

What can you do if your child has been refused admission to their preferred secondary school, or been unplaced?

Emily Paisley, Associate — Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

As appeared in the Belfast Telegraph on 18.05.22

As pupils look towards the summer holidays and the school year begins to wind down in May, parents of Primary 7 pupils will be eagerly awaiting the letters which tell them which ‘big schools’ their children will be attending in September. The process has come into sharper focus in recent years, however, especially during the pandemic.

2021 saw a significant increase in the number of school admission appeals appeals brought in Northern Ireland. Then-Education Minister Michelle McIlveen reported that, in June 2021, 280 children in Northern Ireland did not have a secondary school place, having failed to secure a place in any of the schools they had applied for. Minister McIlveen expressed concern at the number of instances in which schools had incorrectly applied their admissions criteria, and over 120 appeals were upheld, resulting in that child obtaining a place in their preferred secondary school.

While it is deeply disappointing for both the pupil and their families if a child is refused a place at their school of choice, there are three options available if you are challenging a school’s decision: the School Admissions Appeal Tribunal; the Exceptional Circumstances Body; or a judicial review of the school’s criteria.

The first option means an appeal can be made to challenge the Board of Governors’ decision not to admit a child to their school. However, the Tribunal’s powers are limited under Article 15 (5) of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The Tribunal must ask themselves two key questions: 1) Were the school’s admissions criteria applied, or applied correctly; and 2) If they had been applied correctly, would the child have been granted entry into the school?

If the Tribunal holds that the criteria were not applied correctly, and if they had been applied correctly the child would have been granted entry into the school, the school must make a place for that child in the school. However, the Tribunal might find that even if the criteria had been applied correctly, the child would have been refused admission, and if this is the case, the appeal would be dismissed.

The second option, the Exceptional Circumstances Body, is a separate entity whose powers are governed by the School Admissions (Exceptional Circumstances) Regulations (NI) 2010, and who consider applications that a child must attend a particular school.

The ECB applies a three-stage test:

  • Are the circumstances claimed exceptional?

  • Are the circumstances claimed personal to the child? And

  • Do the circumstances claimed require the child’s admission to the school, and only that school?

The ECB cannot consider circumstances which relate wholly or mainly to the kind of education provided at that school i.e. grammar versus comprehensive; circumstances related to a child’s academic ability; or circumstances related to the availability of transport to that school.

Finally, you can also launch a judicial review of the school’s criteria. However, this is a much more complex (and costly) process and legal advice should be sought as to the merits of any such application.

Eversheds Sutherland have dealt successfully with a number of appeals. Should you require any advice or assistance please contact us on 028 9526 2000 or email emilypaisley@eversheds-sutherland.ie.

Young athletes awarded over £70k in Better Bursaries and Cash Awards

Ulster Tennis Player Reese McCann, Ireland Basketball Player Darragh Ferguson, Regional Business Manager at GLL Jonathan Michael, Olympic Boxer Aidan Walsh and Hannah McGugan, Ulster & Irish Squash Player.

Some 125 gifted young athletes from Belfast have been presented with sporting bursaries worth over £70,000 by social enterprise GLL at an awards gala in Belfast City Hall.

Athletes including Belfast boxer and bronze Olympic medalist Aidan Walsh, Bangor Paralympian Eve Walsh Dann and Team GB Trap Shooter Kirsty Hegarty (nee Barr) were presented with financial grants and training memberships by Lady Mary Peters on Monday evening.

The GLL Sports Foundation (GSF) is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK and awards gifted young athletes, many of whom rely on these bursaries alone to compete at national and international levels.

Local recipients this year include 125 individuals currently competing at Olympic, Paralympic, Special Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth level, 84% of whom receive no other central funding towards their sporting journey.

Awarded in partnership with the Mary Peters Trust, athletes supported by GSF this year received financial grants of up to £1,000 alongside training support and access to GLL facilities across the UK. Some 61% of recipients are aged under 21 while 15% are aged under 16.

The GSF is delivered in Belfast by GLL, the social enterprise which runs the 15 ‘Better’ leisure centres across the city. Since launching in Belfast in 2015, GSF has provided over 773 awards worth over £450,000 to local sporting stars. Previous GSF supported athletes include Paralympian Michael McKillop, Irish Olympic Marathon Runner and winner of the 40th Belfast City Marathon 2022 Paul Pollock, and Irish Hockey International Shirley McCay.

GSF supported Boxer and Olympic bronze medalist Aidan Walsh said:

“As an Olympic Boxer from Belfast I am proud to be among this group of amazing young athletes honoured by the GLL Sports Foundation Awards 2022. Belfast is well known for producing athletes across many disciplines, and support like this is really important to make sure talented young people are given the chance to break through. Local kids that aren’t as supported financially find it hard paying memberships for local gyms, so when GLL step up to give them access it is fantastic.”

“This is something I’ve used to my benefit, and I take great pride in returning to use these facilities and celebrate the community I come from. Some of the best athletes in the world use GLL gyms in Belfast and across the UK as it is up there with the rest in terms of equipment and facilities. To have this on my doorstep is fantastic and I know it will support many more young athletes to put Belfast on the map.”

Regional Business Manager at GLL Jonathan Michael said:

“Each and every one of the 125 athletes honoured in this year’s awards have shown an unbelievable level of talent, commitment and sacrifice as they compete at elite level. As a social enterprise, we are thrilled to support greater numbers of athletes in this way each year and in a growing number of sports than ever before.”

“The GLL Sports Foundation is going from strength to strength in line with the advancement of local sporting talent. It is our pleasure to present 125 awards to worthy recipients this week and I would like to thank our partners Belfast City Council and the Mary Peters Trust for supporting us to do so. We are thrilled to have been in a room of 125 incredible athletes this week and know they will each go on to achieve great success for their city.”

Three appointments as expansion continues at Belfast accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

New Practice Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Rachel Mills, Payroll Administrator Marta Howako and Assistant Auditor Sanjida Chowdhury

Belfast accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has made three new appointments across the practice amid a period of sustained growth and development.

The firm, which specialises in Audit & Assurance, Business Services, Consulting, Taxation and Restructuring & Insolvency has appointed a Practice Manager, a Payroll specialist and an Auditor.

Rachel Mills becomes Practice Manager and will oversee the daily operational running of the firm. She joins with over 20 years’ experience in a mid-tier firm. 

Sanjida Chowdhury joins the Audit Department as Assistant Auditor, with experience as a Finance Officer in a charitable organisation and as an Auditor in a ‘Big 4’ practice.

In Business Services, Marta Howako has been appointed Payroll Administrator. She brings specialist payroll experience from working with a well-known recruitment firm to the Business Services team.

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore offers full bookkeeping and accountancy services to clients in the public, private and third sectors. The appointments build on recent growth within the firm, including the promotion of Michael Branniff as Business Services Partner in January and appointment of Eimear Brown as Head of Audit in August 2021.

Joining the team, new Practice Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Rachel Mills said:

“It is fantastic to have joined the team at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. This is a fast-paced role in a busy work environment, and I am thrilled to have come on board during a period of growth and expansion. A dynamic practice that works with a varied range of clients, I am looking forward to my future here and know that now was the right time to join such a highly regarded firm.”

Audit & Assurance Partner Joanne Small said:

“It is our pleasure to welcome three new professionals to the team at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. As demand for our services continues to grow, we are thrilled to bring experienced professionals that will help us continue to deliver for clients on board, and we know that Rachel, Sanjida and Marta will all be valuable additions. We look forward to supporting them to grow their careers here at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.”