Tom Morton, a former managing partner of PKF's Leeds office has acquired the Harrogate franchise for The Alternative Board, the peer support and business coaching organisation.

Morton one of Leeds’ best-known accountants, was responsible for negotiating the merger of the Leeds, London and Manchester offices of PKF into a single profit-sharing and management unit.

He stepped down as managing partner in Leeds in 2005 and was then elected to the firm’s national board for four years before leaving the partnership at the end of last year.

A former President of Leeds Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tom is still a member of the Chamber board and is currently Deputy Chairman. His other appointments include Chair of “Sharing the Success”, the Leeds Enterprise and Growth Initiative.

Paul Dickinson, managing director of The Alternative Board in the UK, said: "As a former PKF partner myself, I have known Tom for many years and have the greatest respect for his abilities. He has a real world approach to business and will be able to provide practical advice and guidance to Harrogate SME owners."