KPMG partner takes British Retail Consortium director role

KPMG PARTNER Helen Dickinson has taken a director-general role at the UK's largest trade association, the British Retail Consortium.

Dickinson, who has been with the firm for more than 20 years, originally studied in New Zealand and has experience of retail, audit and advising companies on mergers and acquisitions, cost reduction and tax issues.

She is succeeded by David McCorquodale (pictured) as the new head of retail for the Big Four firm.

McCorquodale has been with the firm since 1984 and was part of the team that founded its corporate finance arm, which advises listed and private companies on a range of topics such as acquisitions and fund raising.

He is a corporate finance partner, and recently led the firm's European retail transactions and restructuring practice prior to his promotion.

McCorquodale recently worked with the team that arranged the sale of Peacocks to Edinburgh Woolen Mill in administration, which safeguarded about 6,000 jobs, as well as the £20m sale of Blacks Leisure to JD Sports including the 3,500 staff, also out of administration.

Liz Claydon, UK head of consumer markets at KPMG, said: "David is a highly experienced adviser and his work with a host of the UK's best known retailers means he has built an enviable reputation within the sector. Using his knowledge and contacts David will continue to ensure KPMG is at the forefront of future retail industry trends and will lead our work with the BRC to produce the flagship BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

"I would like to thank Helen Dickinson who has made a tremendous contribution to our retail practice during her time with KPMG. David and I look forward to continue working closely with her in her important new role."