Azets, the UK's largest regional accountancy firm and business advisor to SMEs, has announced several promotions across their Cheltenham and Gloucester offices, as well as a new appointment.

Martyn Freeman, who takes up the role of Funding & Strategic Partnership Director at Azets Cheltenham, has over 20 years of experience in the finance sector and has joined from NatWest. He will be supporting clients with all aspects of fundraising, as well as reviewing existing banking facilities and providing business advisory services, alongside the specialist teams within Azets.

Katherine Parkin has been promoted to Associate Director in the Azets Cheltenham branch, following her attaining the status of a "Responsible Individual" for audit regulatory purposes. Katherine leads the charity and not-for-profit sector in the office, as well as holding a corporate portfolio.

Pete Reed, who has been with Azets since he left college in 2012, has been promoted from Senior Manager to Associate Director within the Gloucester office. Based in the Cheltenham office, Jess Ellis has also been promoted from Senior Manager to Associate Director, having joined Azets in 2005 as a junior. Both with a portfolio of SME and large corporate clients, Pete and Jess will continue to provide audit, accountancy and general advisory services to their clients, as well as managing their audit teams.

Gareth Edwards, who works across the Accounts and Business Advisory Services and Tax teams at Azets Cheltenham has been promoted to Senior Manager after achieving Chartered Tax Adviser status last year. He will continue to offer compliance and general advisory services to SME clients.

Working alongside Gareth, Tom Cheetham has again been promoted to Senior Manager, having been with the team since 2017. Tom will continue to manage a portfolio of clients in the Accounts and Business Advisory Services team, as well as concentrating on technological advances and efficiencies to assist clients and account processes.

Claire Clift, Partner at Azets said: "It's an exciting time for us, as we continue to grow our teams to match the demand of our services. Martyn's appointment further bolsters our offering, and provides clients with an additional resource, whilst the five promotions recognise the development and progression of each individual.

"Katherine, Pete, Jess, Gareth and Tom will continue to be pivotal in helping to support and expand our offering across both the Cheltenham and Gloucester offices. They will also be key to developing our national sector lines in areas of service such as, Tax, Audit, Not-for-Profit and Accounts and Business Advisory Services.

We truly believe that the future for us is exciting, and we look forward to watching the wider team continue to grow and develop."

The appointment and promotions across the Cheltenham and Gloucester offices are part of the wider growth plan for Azets, where the company looks to further strengthen and expand its regional coverage and capabilities, whilst retaining its position as a top 10 accountancy business. Together with the other Azets UK brand, Blick Rothenberg, the business generates almost £300m of revenue.

Career opportunities are available at Azets, visit www.azets.co.uk to find out more.