Forensic accountants open Leeds office

A forensic accounting and insolvency practice based in Greater Manchester has launched its first office in Leeds as it looks to expand nationally.

Inquesta, headquartered in Radcliffe near Bury, has taken space at Princes Exchange, a seven-storey office block in the centre of Leeds which is also home to DLA Piper.

Tim Keeling has been hired as a director in its forensic division from Forths Forensic Accountants in Leeds where he headed the criminal and corporate division. He specialises in white collar crime, tax fraud, money laundering and proceeds of crime orders.

Martin Willock has also been hired as a senior manager in its insolvency arm, having previously worked at firms including Cowgill Holloway, Grant Thornton and Baker Tilly (now RSM) with plans to recruit further in the coming months.

Rob Miller, a director and co-founder of Inquesta, said: “We have seen increased demand for our services in Yorkshire and it makes sense to establish a presence in Leeds.

“Tim and Martin are extremely well-connected in the Yorkshire market and beyond, and are great additions to our team as we grow the practice with this new office.

“It marks the first stage of our ambitious strategy to become a national firm and we will certainly be looking to expand the Leeds operation as part of our growth plans.

“Alongside our existing services, we aim to increase the range of niche services we offer, including corporate finance and specialist tax investigations.”

Miller founded the practice with co-director Steven Wiseglass in 2012. The firm is currently expanding its head office with a £200,000 investment that will enable it to double the size of its workforce based there to 24.