FD role dropped at metals specialist

In a bid to cut costs, metal manufacturers Metalrax has let its group finance
director go with no plans to replace him. Michael Stock will step down from the
company, which specialises in steel products such as microwave cookware, later
this month.

FD responsibilities will be assumed by the group financial controller, Nick
Longley and director of finance operations, Ian Flavell. Stock, who joined the
company last year, was previously FD at electronic products producer Premier
Farnell. At Metalrax he was involved in arranging new banking facilities of
£23.7m.

Jim Smart takes the helm at Premier Foods, the UK’s biggest food producer,
following the resignation of Paul Thomas. Smart was previously FD at insurers
Friends Provident but following the announcement that it was to merge with fund
managers Resolution he stepped down, although the merger fell through.

In recent years Premier acquired RHM, the Mr Kipling cake maker, for £1.2bn
as well as a £400m deal to buy Campbell Soup. Earlier this year the company
issued £400m in shares to repay debts.

Tim Keeley joins the personal tax and trust consultancy division of
Critchleys as partner. Recently tax director for Tenon, based in London, Keeley
will head up the private client team focusing on non-domiciliary taxation and
international personal tax.

Vantis has taken on former Accenture project accountant Thamina Hannan.
Hannan will head the outsource division of the group’s Epsom branch working
closely with the firm’s recruitment hospitality & leisure departments. She
was in her previous role for more than ten years and prior to that worked in
finance roles for the railway and IT industries.

Marco Amitrano becomes head of risk assurance business at PwC, having joined
the firm 17 years ago as a trainee. He will now focus on global companies and
their UK subsidiaries. Amitrano currently sits on the UK Assurance Executive
Board.