Grant Thornton, the UK-based accountancy firm, has bolstered its private client team with the hire of Andrew Cockman as new national director based in London.

Cockman, who will focus on growing the firm’s entrepreneurial and private client unit across the UK, joins from Deloitte, where he worked with capital tax issues in client matters and training. His new employer said in a statement that he has also been involved in shaping tax legislation through his involvement with representative bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

In February this year, Grant Thornton appointed Martin Young - formerly of Coutts - as head of financial planning within its London office. Young oversees a team of seven investment advisors.

The firm serves around 14,000 private clients in the UK and globally.