This week's people and moves: Peacock struts his stuff

GRAHAM BEALE is our clear winner of job of the week. Not
only has he been pivotal in the merger between Portman and Nationwide, but the
group finance director of Nationwide also takes over from Phillip Williamson as
the new chief executive of the enlarged company, once the merger is completed in
April 2007.
Phillip Williamson reportedly began talks with Robert Sharpe, chief executive at
Portman, resulting in both stepping aside to allow Beale to run the show.
Nationwide is hoping to find a new finance director before Beale takes up his
new appointment.
He has been with the company since 1985.

Advisers Catalyst Corporate Finance has hired Simon
Peacock, former United Biscuits commercial finance manager, to
strengthen its consumer and food team. Peacock was involved in the acquisition
of Golden Wonder brands Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies.

Michelle Wilkes has been made a partner at chartered
accountants Wilkins Kennedy. She will join the firm’s charity and not-for-profit
sector. Wilkes was formerly at listed accountancy business Vantis Numerica.

Robert Grierson takes on the role of partner in the newly
merged Landin Wilcock. Financial consultants Landin Wilcock & Co have merged
with local Sheffield accountants Robert M Grierson & Co, specialists in the
healthcare sector.

Chris Wooley has become director of audit services at
mid-tier firm Chantrey Vellacott following a promotion from senior audit
manager. Wooley, who has been with the company since 2005, specialises in
forensic accounting.

Former KPMG manager Paul Forster has joined the corporate
team at accountants Price Bailey. Forster will be in charge of dealing with
audit, statutory accounts and other business advice. He brings extensive
offshore regulatory experience with the Jersey Financial Services Commission,
the island’s financial watchdog.

Ernst & Young has appointed Dr Stephen Christie to lead
its risk and regulation team in the UK. Dr Christie will be required to play a
strategic role in the development of accounts in the wholesale and banking
sector. Prior to his appointment he was at Accenture, where he was global lead
managing director. Dr Christie has also been a partner with Deloitte.

Deloitte has recruited David Bettesworth to head its
investment banking technology risk team from KPMG, where he was responsible for
investment banking.

Law firm Halliwells is expanding its tax dispute resolution group. The firm
has recruited three members from HM Revenue & Customs and another from
Vantis. Sally Hutchings is a former VAT lawyer with HMRC.
Ian Manley spent 20 years with the taxman as strategy adviser,
and Guy Sandler was a senior investigator with Customs &
Excise for over 25 years. Paul Noble was formerly director of
tax investigations at Vantis.

Philip Holt who has spent the last ten years at PwC has
moved to Deloitte. Holt becomes director in the firm’s regional development and
regeneration group. Heather Hancock, head of regional development at Deloitte,
praised Holt’s appointment saying, ‘over the past decade he has managed,
developed and delivered more than 50 major business and regeneration projects’.

Edited by Rachael Singh