Smith and Williamson make two new appointments as part of a plan to allow its assurance chief to focus on the national practice.

Stephen Drew has been appointed to head of London Assurance and Business services (ABS), after becoming a partner for Smith & Williamson in 1999.

Philip Quigley, who joined Smith and Williamson from KPMG in 1993, is now national head of transaction services.

The promotions were made after national head of ABS Giles Murphy’s decision to focus more on the national ABS practice, to allow him to concentrate on the strategic development of the ABS division and to lead the professional practices group.

“This is a great opportunity for Stephen and Philip,” said Murphy.

Drew said: “The economic conditions are opening opportunities for us to increase our brand awareness and market share.”

He has extensive experience of assurance and advisory work and a client base of listed companies, private equity backed businesses and entrepreneurs all operating in a number of sectors, including natural resources and property and business services.

Quigley has advised many companies on admission to AIM and full listing, acting as reporting accountant and with international experience in the ABS division, particularly in India, Hong Kong, China and the Far East, as well as the USA.

Quigley will continue as head of the quoted companies group at Smith & Williamson.