Smith & Williamson will plough on without a replacement for Colin Ives, its head of professional practices tax, who was swooped up by BDO Stoy Hayward this week.

The firm said it was not seeking a replacement for Ives, who has joined BDO Stoy Hayward as partner and head of professional services tax.

Accountancy Age understands that Smith & Williamson’s current professional practices team, chaired by Simon Mabey, will pick up the slack following Ives’ departure. The team has also expanded in the last 12 months.

BDO Stoy Hayward head of professional service Nick Carter-Pegg said that Ives would ‘bring an additional dynamic to our client service offering’.

Ernst & Young announced it own swoop this week, poaching three forensic technology consultants from KPMG. Despite the loss, KPMG said it plans to build its team to 100 from 60 in the next year.