Deloitte appoints Nick Jacques to key role

Accountancy heavyweight Deloitte has made a key hire as it further strengthens its financial services industry operation north of the Border.

Nick Jacques, director, is joining Deloitte's Edinburgh audit team from its London offices. He brings some 14 years' experience providing assurance and advisory services to a string of major institutions. Given that the banking sector is still not clear of the mire, Jacques' appointment looks a timely one.

He is said to have spent "significant amounts of time" working with banks to help them prepare recovery and resolution plans - so-called "living wills".

Jacques said: "I am looking forward to transferring the knowledge and experience I have cultivated working with Deloitte in London to further the business in Scotland.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing team and I am looking forward to helping shape Deloitte's audit and advisory businesses."

David Claxton, head of the financial services practice in Scotland and Northern Ireland, added: "Nick brings with him an expertise and knowledge in fields which are becoming increasingly topical."

Sticking with the accountancy profession and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has strengthened its tax focus with the appointment of Elspeth Orcharton, a former tax partner with Ernst & Young, as assistant director of taxation.

She joins the body part-time going to full-time on completion of a psychology degree for which she is currently studying.

Derek Allen, director of taxation at ICAS, said: "We are delighted that Elspeth has joined the tax division at ICAS. Her strong track record will further strengthen our offering to members and help influence the tax landscape."

Royal Bank of Scotland's insurance arm, which remains on the auction block, has a dedicated finance director following the hiring of John Reizenstein.

In the newly-created role, he will report to RBS Insurance chief executive Paul Geddes and Bruce van Saun, finance boss of the wider RBS Group. Reizenstein joins from Co-operative Financial Services.

Geddes said: "This represents a key step in preparation for separation from RBS Group."