New top man to steer RSM Tenon through "challenging period"

ACCOUNTANCY firm RSM Tenon has appointed a new chief executive in the shape of Chris Merry.

He replaces Andy Raynor who stepped down wth chairman Bob Morton at the end of January as a result of a “disappointing” financial performance.

Since then, deputy chairman Adrian Martin, has taken charge of the business as executive chairman.

Merry has held a number of management roles in financial services companies. From 2007 until mid-2011, he was the CEO of Matrix Group, a privately owned financial services business in the UK. Prior to this, from 2004 to 2006 he was finance director and then CEO of Whitehead Mann, an executive search group listed on the London Stock Exchange.

He was also finance director at Clifford Chance and worked for a number of years for PricewaterhouseCoopers, including roles as a partner in London and m managing partner in Shanghai.

Following his appointment to the position of CEO, Adrian Martin will now assume the role of non- executive chairman.

Martin said: “Since announcing our trading update on 23 January, one of my priorities has been to identify a new CEO, and we are pleased to appoint Chris to the role. Chris has a strong track record of transforming businesses and I am confident that with his experience, RSM Tenon has the leadership to restore profitability and growth.

“We look forward to updating the market on the progress of our strategic review when we announce our interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2011 on 29 February.”

Merry said: “Whilst RSM Tenon is undoubtedly going through a challenging period, there is a strong underlying business and a solid platform for the future. I look forward to working with the executive team to restructure and build the business for the long term.”

The accountancy firm has an operation in central Birmingham.