Ms Penny takes over the role from Gavin Black who has led significant growth in audit revenues in recent years. He joined Henderson Loggie’s main board in April 2022 and will continue to use his experience to support the wider business, as well as working with his existing audit client base.

Diana Penny, who joined the firm as a partner in 2019, will now lead a team of 60 auditors working across commercial and not for profit clients. She brings almost 30 years’ experience to her new role and was previously with Grant Thornton where latterly she was a director in the Edinburgh office.

She has played a key role alongside Mr Black in developing significant levels of new audit business, introducing a number of large commercial audit clients and building a strong reputation in the education sector. Driving sustainable growth will remain part of Diana’s remit, together with developing the next generation of talent.

Gavin Black said: “I’m delighted to announce Diana’s appointment as head of audit and to support her in the role going forward. Since joining us as a partner four years ago, she has embraced our desire to leave a legacy in the communities in which we operate, and to provide opportunities for our people to achieve their full potential.

“She brings energy, integrity and drive to her role and is absolutely the right person to continue to take the department forward on its growth journey.”

Diana Penny added: “It is a privilege to take over as head of audit from Gavin, and to have played a part alongside him in the most significant growth period in Henderson’s Loggie’s recent history. I’m excited to now head up such a talented team.

“One of the biggest challenges facing all firms today is finding the talent to resource the volume of available audit business. We have successfully grown the number of audit trainees we take on each year three-fold, and I will continue to focus on attracting and nurturing our graduates and direct entry trainees and continuing our focus on providing excellent client service.”

Henderson Loggie’s audit trainee programme is three years for graduate trainees, and five for school leavers to become fully qualified.