Hammonds’ top brass has won partnership backing for a high-stakes package of reforms designed to turn around the national firm’s flagging profitability. The firm this week revealed it had secured backing for proposals to streamline its management and extend merit-based pay after a full vote of Hammonds’ partnership, which closed last week.

As part of the revamp, London tax partner Bernhard Gilbey, who led the six-month review alongside finance director Laurence Campbell, has been installed as the firm’s new strategic director.