Former MG Rover administrator Ian Powell has been appointed senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Powell, the firm's head of advisory, has won the four-man race to succeed Kieran Poynter, the firm's partners were told at 1pm today.
The result is something of an upset. Insiders had suggested that Richard Collier-Keywood, the firm's head of tax, and Glyn Barker, managing partner for clients and markets were the front runners. But it is thought the 52-year-old Powell put in a strong performance at the firms' hustings, winning over the partners.
Powell is said to be very 'affable' with one partner saying: 'He would be a great guy to be marooned on a desert island with. He's just a jolly nice chap.'
A fan of West Bromwich Albion, Powell joined the firm in 1977 and has been a partner since 1991.
An economics graduate, he worked on high-profile restructurings such as Marconi, ntl and Drax. He is married with four children and a member of the ICAEW.
'I’m delighted to be elected by my fellow partners to lead the firm. As the market leader our firm’s focus will be to use the enormous range of our skills to bring real benefit to our clients and our people, and to show responsible leadership in everything we do,' Powell said.
'The opportunity to lead our thriving business is hugely exciting and I look forward to building on the great work done by Kieran Poynter in developing trust and confidence in our firm,' he added.
Poynter said: 'Ian will be taking the reins at a time of great opportunity and when the firm is in excellent shape to take advantage of those opportunities. Ian’s energy and vision are reflected in an outstanding track record and I have every confidence that he will lead this great firm to even greater things.'
The three other candidates were Richard Sexton, the head of assurance, Collier-Keywood, and Barker.
An independent body, the Electoral Reform Society, was responsible for handling the vote, the firm said.
Powell takes over on July 1.
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