JOHNSTON Carmichael has promoted five people to partner as it eyes growth across Scotland. David Ward and Toby Rintoul of the chartered accountancy firm’s Edinburgh office, Jennifer Cormack of Huntly, Louise Peters of Forfar and Richard Britten of Aberdeen became partners on 1 June. The promotions bring the total number of partners at Johnston Carmichael to 56. Scott Dunbar in the Elgin office was promoted to director grade. Sandy Manson, chief executive of Johnston Carmichael, said the firm places great emphasis on developing talent from within. In December Mr Manson highlighted the firm’s ambitions to grow in the Central Belt. The downturn in the North Sea oil and gas industry has posed challenges for firms in Johnston Carmichael’s north east heartlands.