EY appoints its first global sustainability leader
Steve Varley has been selected as EY’s first-ever Global Vice Chair of Sustainability, effective 1 July, supporting the Big Four firm’s sustainability efforts.
Varley is currently a UK & Ireland Regional Managing Partner and UK Chairman at EY, and has 28 years of experience across professional services. In his new role, he will work across the firm’s four service lines, as well as leading the overall environmental and sustainability strategy across the entirety of EY’s global organisation.
Reporting directly to Carmine Di Sibio, EY Global Chairman and CEO, he will also be responsible for creating sustainability programs and business solutions at the firm.
Di Sibio said: “Sustainability is one of the key defining issues of our generation and we believe EY has a significant contribution to make in addressing today’s environmental challenges, supporting EY clients and our communities, as well as our global organisation.
“Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record of delivering real change with governments, policy makers, EY clients and people.”
A successor for Varley’s current role will be appointed in the coming months.
KPMG’s Deputy Chair announces retirement
The Deputy Chair of KPMG UK, Melanie Richards CBE, has announced her retirement from the partnership, set for 30 September, 2020.
Richards initially joined KPMG UK in 2001, where she helped build the firm’s debt advisory practice, and was appointed to the KPMG UK Board in 2012. She progressed to Vice Chair in 2014, and became Deputy Chair in 2017.
Throughout her time at the firm, Richards led work on social mobility, helping to push KPMG to be the first firm in the UK to publish comprehensive data on the socio-economic makeup of is workforce.
Bill Michael, KPMG UK’s Chairman and Senior Partner, said: “I expect that Melanie will be in high demand across the UK’s Boardrooms as she embarks on the next phase of her career. Wherever she chooses to go next, they will be lucky to have her broad array of skills, experience, energy and counsel—which have been invaluable to me as Chairman.”
Beever and Struthers expands in Birmingham
Bolstering its Birmingham hub, accounting and advisory firm Beever and Struthers has welcomed Alison White to its specialist not-for-profit team.
White brings over 30 years of experience to the role, having previously worked as a senior manager at Mazars, and the team can now call on her extensive experience in the housing and not-for-profit sectors. Following her appointment, the not-for-profit team now has 14 specialist partners and 60 dedicated colleagues.
Maria Hallows, Executive Partner and Head of Social Housing at Beever and Struthers, said: “Our appointment of Alison and our wider recruitment drive prove our commitment to identifying and nurturing talent and having the highest ambitions for our staff and clients.”
New partner joins Mercer & Hole
Dominic Dumville has joined Mercer & Hole as its newest corporate advisory partner, working out of the firm’s St Albans and Rickmansworth offices.
Prior to joining the firm, Dumville spent nearly 15 years at Haslers, and will use his experience to support distressed businesses within the corporate advisory sector.
Steve Smith, another Corporate Advisory Partner at Mercer & Hole, said: “Within the role of a corporate restructuring professional, developing a thorough understanding of the business in financial difficulty is fundamental. Dominic’s experience provides him with excellent technical skills and an insight, which will, I am certain, be a real asset to the clients he works with.”
UHY appoints tax partner
UHY Hacker Young Manchester has welcomed Helen Cowley, formerly of Baldwins, as its newest Tax Partner.
Cowley’s prior experience with owner-managed businesses, independent professionals, accountants and business advisors will allow her to strengthen the firm’s tax advice offerings. In her partner role, she will focus on both UK and overseas business advice, helping clients to enter the global market.
Mark Robertson, Managing Partner at UHY Hacker Young Manchester, said: “I am delighted Helen has decided to join us. Helen has a wealth of experience and is perfectly placed to advise on a range of UK corporate and personal tax matters, as well as VAT and employment taxes.
“She holds an exceptional tax knowledge and experience, and she will be a valuable addition to our existing strong tax team.”
Trainees move upwards at Duncan & Toplis
Ten trainees at Midlands-focused firm Duncan & Toplis have qualified as professional accountants, boosting the firm’s offerings across Lincolnshire, Notinghamshire and Leicestershire.
Adrian Reynolds, Managing Director at Duncan & Toplis, said: “Helping ten new accountants to qualify in one go is a big achievement for the company, but it’s all down to the hard work and dedication of these individuals. I’d like to congratulate them on their success and I wish them all the best for their careers in accountancy.”
Nine of the new accountants will stay on at Duncan & Toplis, including Edward Spenceley, Krys McQueen, Thea Moody, James Lalyk, Joe Bannister, Geraint Price, Helen Channing, Lauren Bates, and Sarah Adlington. Fellow accountant Heyden Yeates will pursue other career options.
Armstrong Watson grows Glasgow team
Seasoned professional Martin Johnston has joined Armstrong Watson LLP’s Glasgow office as an Audit and Assurance Director.
Formerly of KPMG, EY and PKF, Johnston has experience across a diverse client portfolio, including those in retail, telecommunications, manufacturing, and construction. As part of the Blythswood Square team, he is expected to play a large roll in the firm’s Scottish audit team.
Richard Gibson, Lead Partner at Armstrong Watson Glasgow, said: “With a strong reputation for helping owner-managed, entrepreneurial businesses, Martin is well placed to ensure clients meet both their statutory requirements and also help prepare and support them for their next big event, be it expansion, investment, refinancing or a sale transaction.”