TOP 10 accountancy firm Baker Tilly has strengthened its corporate finance team in the South with the appointment of the third new director in as many months.

The company, which has been named AIM Accountant of the Year for the last three years, has taken on Simon MacGovern as corporate finance director.

Mr MacGovern plans to help the corporate finance team enhance the firm’s reputation in the field of mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, financial modelling, valuations and Capital Markets advisory.

Previously, Mr MacGovern worked for Ernst & Young in its London office where he moved into the mergers and acquisitions team after qualifying as a chartered accountant, before going on to work at Waterford Corporate Finance.

During his career, Mr MacGovern has advised on the sale of one of the UK’s leading art retailers, Castle Galleries, the disposal of CarLand to General Motors Acceptance Corp, as well as the acquisition of Tiny Computers by Time Computers.

Mr MacGovern’s expertise lies with mid-market deals and he has done a lot of work in the consumer and retail sectors.

He said: "I am excited to be working for Baker Tilly as they seem to capture the best elements of both a mergers and acquisitions boutique and a full-service professional services firm. Here there is a culture of empowerment and a superb depth and breadth of expertise."

Andrew Killick is the head of Baker Tilly’s southern regional corporate finance team, which has offices in Basingstoke, Brighton, Bristol, Bromley, Crawley, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells and Yeovil.

He said: "I anticipate that Simon will capitalise on his experience in advising mid-market businesses who wish to embark on transactions. He has a depth of experience that I know will add value to the team across the region."