Tech champion Middleton steps down as KPMG senior partner in Manchester
Chris Stott is to take on the leadership of the Manchester office of KPMG, succeeding Warren Middleton who is to retire after 27 years with the firm.
Stott will lead a team of 1,500 colleagues in the firm’s One St. Peter’s Square office, and the offices of Acceleris, based down Oxford Road at Circle Square, a business Middleton led the acquisition of.
Middleton has been with KPMG for 27 years, 17 of which has been as a technology partner and has been KPMG’s Manchester Office Senior Partner since 2019.
He said the growth of tech and digital in the region has been remarkable and said he has seen many tech businesses go from strength to strength. “I was particularly proud to see Inovus Medical named as this year’s UK Tech Innovator in our competition, and they will be representing the UK and the North West in the global competition in Lisbon next week,” Middleton said.
“I’ve also been involved in KPMG Acceleris since its inception and it has been great taking that unique offering to the market. Finally, I had the honour of opening our new Ignition Centre with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, in September. It was great to see our vision for Ignition in the region come to life and I’m proud of how many businesses we have already helped by having the centre here in Manchester.”
A transaction services partner with 30 years service under his belt Chris Stott has served thirteen of those years as partner. He’s also UK lead for the food and drink sector at the firm.
He will formally assume the position on 1 January 2024, ahead of Warren Middleton’s retirement in the Spring.
Commenting on his appointment, Stott said: “Manchester is a large, fast-growing market with an enviable mix of businesses, organisations and professionals, so I am extremely excited to start leading our team in the region and build on Warren’s great work.
“Our teams in Manchester are brilliant and incredibly talented so I am looking forward to working closely with them as we continue to deliver high quality advice and solutions for our clients in the region.
“As businesses evolve and adapt to macroeconomic conditions, we play an important role in helping them through these challenges, advising them on changes that can help their businesses to not only survive but thrive.
“Warren has played such a monumental part in not only our office, but the region more broadly, and he will leave behind a long-lasting and positive impact on the business community here in the North West.”
Warren Middleton added: “Leading the Manchester office has been the highlight of my career at KPMG. Getting to work with so many fantastic and enthusiastic people to support our clients in the region has made it the most enjoyable role I’ve ever done, so I’d like to thank everyone in our office for that.
“Since I’ve been Office Senior Partner, I’ve watched and helped our office grow both financially and in size. We’ve sponsored UA92’s social mobility strategy since the beginning and I am very proud of the work we’ve done to support the students. It was fantastic to see the journeys of the first cohort from when they first started to their graduation last year, and I love welcoming the students into our office for work placements.
“I’d like to wish Chris the very best in the role and I know he’ll do a fantastic job. His experience, network and energy will be an important asset to the region as we look to continue to play an integral part in its growth and success.”
