KPMG has announced promotions in its Scotland team in response to significant growth in its client base.

Phil Merchant has been appointed audit partner and will spearhead the firm’s 80-strong financial services audit team in Scotland.

Merchant, who has been with the firm for 19 years, said: “KPMG’s work with financial services clients continues to go from strength-to-strength. Scotland has long been recognised as a hub for financial services and this continues to be the case.”

Lyn Niccolls, Gary Fensom and Michael Wilkie have all been promoted to director within the audit team. In the tax and pensions team, Deborah May, Louise McCarroll, David McKay and Calum Brunton Smith have all been promoted to director.

Catherine Burnet of KPMG Scotland said: “I would like to congratulate everyone on their promotions. They perfectly represent the vast experience and broad skill-set we deliver to Scotland’s business community.”