Saffery Champness appoints former EY partner to Inverness office

Saffery Champness has announced that Donald Forsyth has joined the Scottish accountancy firm as a partner based in its Inverness office.

Mr Forsyth was most recently managing partner at EY’s office in the Highland capital.

He previously spent 17 years with Scott-Moncrieff where he served as a commercial partner leading the firm’s Business Advisory Group and served on the Executive & Strategy Board from 2011 to 2014.

Following the recent announcement by EY of their decision to reduce the size of their Inverness office, Saffery said it has worked closely Mr Forsyth to be able to offer a continued service for a number of local clients.

Mr Forsyth specialises in advising owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit entities across the Highlands of Scotland and further afield.

He has worked with many of the largest businesses and charities in Scotland. Donald’s client work has included ambitious local, national and international businesses. He has extensive experience of SMEs across all sectors, including technology, professional services, property and forestry. He focuses on helping business owners achieve their objectives, including financial security for their families.

The firm said the appointment will ensure clients “continue to benefit from the specialist advice and level of service they had previously been used to and will also enhance the Inverness office’s offering to local owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit entities which are fast growing sectors for the Inverness office”.

A chartered accountant, Mr Forsyth has been a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) since 1992. He has also served on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland’s Practitioner Certification Committee from 2008 to 2011.

His team will work with fellow partners Susie Swift, Shirley Mathieson and Coll Murchison-MacDonald and existing staff in Inverness. His appointment further boosts Saffery Champness’ presence in Scotland, with its teams in Inverness and Edinburgh having grown significantly over the past five years.

Rob Elliott, managing partner of Saffery Champness, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Donald to Saffery Champness. He brings with him a wealth of experience that is closely aligned with the key sectors we operate in. His expertise and knowledge will be a real asset to our clients and we look forward to working with him as we continue to build our presence in Inverness.”

Mr Forsyth added: “I am excited to join the Saffery Champness partnership. The firm has an excellent reputation, and I look forward to working with the team in Inverness and my fellow partners across Scotland and the UK to continue to provide market-leading advice to clients.”