Deloitte eyes devolution dividend
The regional leadership team at Big Four firm Deloitte believe the relocation of government departments to cities like Manchester can boost its ever growing consultancy practice.
Deloitte has moved its 1400 staff to three floors of a new 65,600 sq. ft office on the Salford side of the River Irwell, close to Manchester Victoria station and Manchester Cathedral.
Of those 400 work on audit, 285 in consulting,180 in financial advisory, which includes 40 in the sports advisory team and the same number in the prolific planning consultancy practice.
Jo Ahmed, North West Practice Senior Partner at Deloitte told TheBusinessDesk.com that the firm’s priorities were in growing the consulting practice in the north, “We’ve been growing very actively for the last few years, and that practice serves our clients in the region, but because we’ve built a skill base and a talent base here, it’s capable of supporting clients beyond this region as well.”
She said further opportunities lay in supporting government and public sector organisations.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will be based part of the week in her government department in Manchester, and the DCMS, led by Wigan MP Lisa Nandy also has a strong presence in Salford Quays.
“The move by Westminster to move some government departments to the region has helped support the growth of that business because it’s really important we have people close to where our clients are,” Ahmed said.
She added: “I always think a change in government, regardless of politics, brings a fresh opportunity to look at new focus areas nationally and the role that our region can play in that.
“The fact that we have got government departments on our doorstep who will have fresh ideas, new perspectives, and an opportunity for this region to take part in that.
“Deloitte research shows that this region can lead the way when it comes to economic growth, high economic growth, and I firmly believe that if we do what we do well, which is work together as a Greater Manchester family, that we can achieve a lot together in terms of contributing to that high growth agenda.”
The leadership change at Deloitte in April followed the departure of Andy Westbrook, its practice senior partner, and a veteran corporate finance advisor.
Deloitte, once a dominant player in the corporate finance market, pulled out in February.
But Sean Beech, a partner in the North West leadership team at Deloitte also insisted that despite the loss of the lead advisory team at the firm, over 130 people work in the corporate finance market in transaction services, tax advice on mergers and other related services.
Jo Ahmed first joined Deloitte in 2004 as a senior manager and has over 25 years’ experience in advising businesses on managing global workforces. Alongside the new role of Practice Senior Partner, she heads up the firm’s regional Global Mobility practice, advising a vast range of clients on the complex challenges of managing cross-border employment structures.
Commenting on the office move, Jo Ahmed said: “Our bold move reinforces Deloitte’s continued commitment to sustainable growth and development in the North West. We have over 1,400 extremely talented people based in the North West and I am proud to welcome each and every one of them, plus our clients and guests to 100 Embankment.
“We listened to our people and designed the new office around how they want to work focussing on collaboration, connection and innovation. The space incorporates new technology that enables seamless connection between our people and clients wherever they are.”
She also paid tribute to the contribution of the late Sir Howard Bernstein, who worked for the firm for seven years following his retirement as chief executive of Manchester City Council: “We were all extremely sorry to hear of the very sad passing of Sir Howard. He did make a huge contribution to our business after he left the City Council. We worked with him very closely across a number of areas, our real estate team and our planning team in particular. It’s a great loss to the city. He established the new Manchester.”
