People: Grant Thornton in Birmingham grows leadership team with KPMG hire; Promotions at Gateley; and more

Grant Thornton has expanded its leadership team in Birmingham with the appointment of Matt Buckingham as audit partner.

Buckingham joins Grant Thornton following 23 years in the audit practice at KPMG working with and supporting a wide range of mid-market family-owned and private equity-backed businesses.

He was also KPMG’s automotive lead for the Midlands and has extensive experience of helping growing businesses create increased shareholder value. During his career he has also participated in long term industry secondments including within the central finance team of a large regional automotive manufacturer.

Grant Thornton partner Becky Eagle, head of the firm’s 100-strong commercial audit team in Birmingham, said: “Matt’s extensive experience in working alongside dynamic businesses, particularly in the manufacturing sector, will be hugely beneficial to our audit team and clients. Matt is a real ‘people person’ and possesses great skills in nurturing talent in the team around him, which echoes perfectly with Grant Thornton’s culture. His experience in industry means he also brings valuable insight into the audit process from a client’s perspective.”

Buckingham added: “Grant Thornton is a highly-regarded brand in the West Midlands and the opportunity to join the firm’s local leadership team at such a vibrant time for the region was irresistible. In order to make the most of these economic opportunities, businesses are having to grapple with issues such as skills shortages and rapid technological change as well as deal with the continued uncertainty which Brexit brings. I’m looking forward to meeting clients, discussing their growth ambitions, and highlighting how a high quality audit can play a part in achieving those plans.”

David Hillan, practice leader at Grant Thornton in Birmingham, said: “We’re thrilled that Matt is joining our leadership team and I’m sure he will be a great addition to the Birmingham office. We are increasingly being invited to tender for and winning new mid-market audit clients and Matt’s appointment will help us to continue that work, as well as grow the audit practice even further.”

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Gateley has announced its latest promotions in Birmingham.

The group has made 18 promotions in its Edmund Street office including two new partners.

The promotions span Gateley Plc’s Tax, Regulatory, Real Estate, Pensions, Corporate, Financial Disputes and Regulation, Residential Development and Commercial Dispute Resolution teams as well its property consultancy business Gateley Hamer.

The new partners in Birmingham are Lisa Clark (Residential Development) and Chris Adams (Real Estate). Promoted to legal director are Paul Alcock (Residential Development) and William Cursham (Construction).

The new senior associates are Shazan Miah (Real Estate), Richard Tindall (Real Estate), Kate Canning (Commercial Dispute Resolution), Safeea Shafiq (Commercial Dispute Resolution), Thea Maertens (Commercial Dispute Resolution) and John Williams (Financial Disputes and Regulation).

Amanda Wootton (Financial Disputes and Regulation), Chris Grainger (Regulatory), Harriet Eden (Residential Development), Jo Symes (Tax), Steve Moon (Gateley Hamer), Jonathan Dugdale (Real Estate), Paul Wild (Pensions) and Niall McCooey (Corporate) have been made associate.

“I’m delighted to announce these promotions at the end of what has been an incredibly busy year,” said Michael Ward, chief executive of Gateley. “Our people are the backbone of our business and the reason we succeed. Whilst we look to attract the best candidates, we also invest in developing our people and adding strength to our existing teams. We’re delighted that so many colleagues merited promotion this year and each one of them has earned it through their hard work, commitment and contribution to the group’s success.”