Leading UK accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of four partners and a director.
In total, Johnston Carmichael has promoted 65 people across the business this month. The latest round of promotions adds to 97 people already promoted this calendar year, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the firm.
The four partner promotions are:
- Lesley Hopwood, who also moves from Chief Financial Officer into the role of Chief Operating Officer. Lesley began her career as a graduate at the firm in 2011, specialising in audit before transitioning to the firm’s finance team.
- Martin Osler, Chief People Officer, who joined the firm in 2021 and is responsible for Johnston Carmichael’s people and culture strategy.
- Max Chassels (Private Client Tax), who has been at Johnston Carmichael since 2019. Based in Aberdeen, he works with clients across the UK, leading the delivery of private client transaction work including advising sellers and buyers on the tax implications of MBOs, MBIs, and trade sales, as well as the design and implementation of management incentive plans.
- Jenny Junnier (Audit), also based in Aberdeen, has been at the firm since 2021. A trusted adviser and experienced auditor, she specialises in Private Finance Initiative entities and North East corporates operating within the energy transition sector.
Claire Forrest, who is based in Glasgow, where she manages almost 170 clients, becomes Business Advisory Director. Claire joined the business in 2022.
Lynne Walker, CEO, Johnston Carmichael, said:
“It is hugely exciting to be promoting so much talent across the firm and we are especially proud to welcome four new partners and a director to our leadership team.
“At Johnston Carmichael we encourage our people to be leaders of their own learning and careers. Lesley, Martin, Max, Jenny and Claire are great examples of this approach as experts in their respective disciplines, but what makes them stand out is the abundance of energy and innovation they bring to the business and the impact they have. Each plays a vital role in enabling us to provide the high-quality client services for which we are renowned in the marketplace and ensuring our ongoing success.
“As we build on our legacy across the UK, our newly promoted people will help us to continue to create enduring impact for our clients, communities and colleagues.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who achieved a promotion within Johnston Carmichael this year and I wish them well as they progress their careers.”
Mark Houston, Senior Partner and Chair of Johnston Carmichael, said:
“At Johnston Carmichael, we take great pride in fostering the next generation of business leaders, recognising that their development is essential to our ongoing success. By cultivating a supportive learning environment, we are shaping a positive workplace culture that lays the foundation for the future of the firm.
“The promotions of Lesley, Martin, Max, Jenny and Claire are a testament to their skills, dedication, and collaborative efforts in driving our refreshed strategy and supporting our continued growth across the UK. I look forward to watching them continue to progress their careers at Johnston Carmichael.”
ENDS
About the new partners
Lesley Hopwood
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2014, Lesley completed a short audit secondment in Australia, before returning to Edinburgh and progressing through the firm’s audit team. In 2018 she became Head of Finance and Director in 2019, when she was also named as one of ICAS Top 100 Young CAs. Lesley was later appointed Chief Financial Officer having advanced the capabilities, processes and reporting within the Finance team, before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2024. Lesley is a regular attendee at the firm’s Board meetings, and also chairs the firm’s Management Advisory Board and Transformation Board.
Martin Osler
Martin Osler leads Johnston Carmichael’s people and culture strategy. His remit includes the firm’s Employee Value Proposition, HR operations, learning and development, recruitment, and early careers pathways. Under his leadership the firm has transformed its Employee Value Proposition putting meaningful learning and positively impactful leadership behaviours at the centre of making Johnston Carmichael the best possible place to work. This has included achieving a Master’s level accreditation for our Leadership Programme which is being rolled out to clients. Martin has completed the Moore Global Harvard Leadership Programme and is a member of the ICAS Qualifications Board. Martin has a Master’s in Public Administration and is a Chartered Member of CIPD.
Max Chassels
Max is responsible for overseeing the firm’s private client business in the North East of Scotland and leading local private client teams. He specialises in transaction work, working closely with colleagues across the business and is responsible for managing more than 75 clients throughout the UK. Max completed the firm’s Master’s-accredited Leadership Programme in 2023 and is a regular speaker at tax seminars and workshops.
Jenny Junnier
Based in Aberdeen, Jenny manages a large portfolio split between Private Finance Initiative and corporate clients. She has Responsible Individual (RI) status and is a Public Interest Entity (PIE) auditor. Over the last year she has successfully led JC Academy within the audit team, expanding the focus from technical learning to include critical thinking skills. Jenny has also completed the firm’s in-house Leadership Programme. She is a co-founder of Aberdeen’s AXIS network, which was established to increase diversity in the energy sector.
