DSW makes move on succession
Listed corporate finance advisory business formed by James Dow has made moves towards a succession of leadership in the business by promoting chief finance officer Nicole Burstow to deputy chief executive.
Describing itself as a profitable, mid-market, challenger professional services licence network and “owner of the Dow Schofield Watts brand”, she is taking an increasingly vital role in the business.
She has been with the Group for four years, has been working closely alongside DSW’s existing chief executive James Dow, on strategy, recruitment, licensee engagement and operations, for some time and the change in title formally recognises her full contribution to the business.
Burstow will continue to fulfil her responsibilities as chief financial officer but her strategic remit has increased, which she described as “working towards our goal of being the most sought-after location for ambitious, entrepreneurial professionals to start and develop their own business.”
She added: “In the last month alone, we have recruited three new teams in the North West and launched new offices in the Midlands and Cardiff; hot on the heels of the addition of Bridgewood in July. This recent growth is testament to the unique opportunities our model provides.”
James Dow, founder and chief executive, said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce Nicole’s official appointment as Deputy CEO. We are extremely fortunate to have such a capable and committed executive, she is well respected by all our stakeholders, and this appointment reflects that her contribution to the Group has extended far beyond her role as CFO for quite some time.”
A former KPMG corporate finance partner when he set the business up in 2002, Dow floated the business and operates licensing arrangements with 25 licensee businesses with 106 fee earners, from 11 offices across the UK. These trade primarily under the Dow Schofield Watts brand.
The “challenger model” attracts experienced, senior professionals, predominantly with a “Big 4” accounting firm background, who want to “break out” and launch their own businesses under the Dow Schofield Watts brand and DSW Network.
The network has offices in Aberdeen, Cardiff, the North West of England, Leeds, London, Nottingham and Reading spanning corporate finance, transaction services, business recovery, management and strategy, tax advisory, forensic services, debt advisory and wealth management.
The business also operates Pandea Global M&A, an international network of corporate finance firms covering 33 different countries, and two investment businesses, DSW Ventures and private equity investor PHD Industrial Holdings.
