Fowler appointed as Ernst & Young head Bowker stands down

ERNST & Young in Birmingham has announced a new senior partner following a decision by long standing incumbent Ronnie Bowker to stand down from the position.

His successor is the firm’s current head of fraud investigation Sara Fowler.

Ms Fowler, 51, who has been with the firm for 23 years, said she was looking forward to the challenge of her new role although she admitted she had a tough act to follow.

“Ronnie has been here for such a long time and is so well respected in the industry, it is my hope that I can emulate what he has done here,” she said.

“I am honoured to be doing this role, it’s a great opportunity and there’s a lot to do. I aim to make Birmingham proud.”

Ms Fowler has been in Birmingham since 2000 having previously worked at the firm’s Manchester office. Although she has headed up the firm’s fraud investigation practice, she will now be responsible for a firm with more than 600 staff working across a range of specialities.

As she seeks to impose herself on the role, she said she would be looking at ways in which to grow the business.

“The current situation regarding the economy represents a very good opportunity for us to grow our practice. It is important for Ernst & Young to take the lead at a time like this. We are investing heavily, especially in our taxation services.

“Across Birmingham there has also been significant investment in our advisory business and the office will become a centre of excellence for the Midlands,” she said.

Birmingham will be the hub of this new operation and while it will operate across all sectors there will be a focus on several key industries such as cleantech and utilities.

Ms Fowler said this was reflected in the firm’s transactions business, which Ernst & Young was also looking to grow.

“For firms that have conserved their cash during the recession and been prudent in generating working capital and paring down debt, now is a great time for them to look for growth,” she said.

“There is a much stronger appetite for acquisition and it will be our role to support this. We will be looking at growth sectors and will be ready to help entrepreneurial businesses move forward.

“This will be especially important for firms looking to improve their business by investing in new opportunities offered by the emerging markets.”

She said the economic situation created in the wake of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review also presented opportunities for the business to move forward and she said there would be a strong focus on ensuring this was the case, with as much work coming to Birmingham as possible.