Jonathan Holt elected Manchester office head at KPMG

FINANCIAL services sector expert Jonathan Holt, 41, has been chosen as KPMG’s Manchester office senior partner.

He takes up the role on November 1 from Jonathan Hurst – who will continue as the firm’s Northern chairman and a member of KPMG’s UK board.

Mr Holt, who will celebrate 20 years with the firm next year, is currently head of the firm’s Financial Services team in the North. He leads the firm’s relationships with clients including Swinton, Royal London and Chesnara plc.

Before taking on this pan-northern role, he led the financial services practice in KPMG’s Manchester office, growing the team to more than double its size.
 
He said: “It is a privilege to be given this opportunity to lead one of KPMG’s largest regional offices in the UK which employs more than 700 people, and has over 50 partners and directors.
 
“With signs pointing to an upturn in confidence amongst the region’s businesses, the enormous breadth of services that we offer from Manchester puts us in an excellent position to help clients embark on renewed plans for sustainable growth.”
 
He added:  “As we look forward to the move to our new office at One St Peter’s Square in 2015, there are undoubtedly exciting times ahead for KPMG in the city.”

Northern chairman Jonathan Hurst added: “Jon’s new role is testament to his leadership of the Northern financial services practice during one of the most challenging economic periods in history. His experience of expanding and strengthening the team, in addition to his commitment to delivering client work of the highest quality, will stand us in good stead as we look to maintain our position as one of the dominant providers of professional services in the region.”
 
Jon is married to Lynn, whom he met on his first day at work at KPMG, and has three young children.

Colleague and corporate finance partner Jonathan Boyers tweeted his congratulations, saying “He’ll do a great job.”