People: KPMG strengthens health practice with senior appointment; PwC welcomes record number of graduates; and more

KPMG has hired Rachel Orton as a new director within its health practice in the Midlands.

Orton, who will be based in Birmingham, joins the firm with 20 years of healthcare sector experience gained in the NHS and at professional service firms both in Australia and London.

At KPMG, she is focused on leading complex transformation health programmes, including performance improvement, operation excellence, financial turn around and capability building.

Beccy Fenton, partner and health lead at KPMG in the Midlands, said: “I’m delighted that Rachel has joined our firm. Her extensive experience and knowledge of the healthcare sector will be invaluable as we help our clients to navigate the increasingly complex environment in which they are operating. Rachel will be instrumental as we continue to grow and develop a strong regional team and respond to increasing demand.”

Orton added: “I am excited to join the firm and to work with its fantastic and talented people. My passion is creating new solutions which drive innovation for the future, and at KPMG, I’ll be supporting the team to offer a full range of health solutions to our clients and contacts across the Midlands.”

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PwC Birmingham has welcomed a record 165 graduates and school leavers to its Birmingham office this month, including graduates, higher apprentices and business placement students.

With a further 31 recruits into PwC’s East Midlands office and 27 into Milton Keynes, PwC’s total recruitment reaches a record 223 new joiners across the Midlands.  This sees a 35% increase on its 2018 intake.

The professional services firm has recruited 197 graduates from universities across the country, with almost half of these coming from universities based in the Midlands, including the University of Birmingham, Aston University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, University of Wolverhampton, University of Leicester, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Loughborough University and De Montfort University.

PwC is also welcoming 36 students on its second cohort of the technology degree apprenticeship with the University of Birmingham where students enjoy a fully-funded degree, work placements with PwC and employment beyond.

In addition, over 180 students are participating in the Flying Start programme – a degree course run in conjunction with PwC, ICAEW, University of Nottingham Business School, University of Reading, Newcastle University and University of Manchester business school.

The programme allows students to study at university, as well as gaining practical paid work experience with PwC.

Matthew Hammond, senior partner for the Birmingham office and Midlands region chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome our largest annual intake of graduates and higher apprentices in the Midlands. This demonstrates our commitment to recruiting local talent including school leavers and graduates as we continue to invest in the next generation of future leaders. Our technology degree apprenticeship with the University of Birmingham, which is now in its second year, is just one of many examples of how we are breaking down barriers to help more people with more varied backgrounds to join PwC and build exciting technology based careers.

“Attracting the next generation talent is the life-blood of our firm as we continue to deliver on our vision of being the leading tech-enabled professional firm.  I am proud that our investment in our people is matched by our investment in the region and the regeneration of Birmingham city centre – the ‘class of 2019’ will uniquely be the first to enjoy One Chamberlain Square when we move to our new office at the start of 2020. Our investment in Birmingham demonstrates our commitment to growth in the Midlands, as we look to rebalance our footprint outside of London and attract more graduates outside the capital and across the UK.”

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One of Thursfields Solicitors’ most experienced commercial property lawyers is retiring after nearly 40 years of practising in the West Midlands.

Mike Brien, who was born in Solihull, studied law at Cardiff University before returning to the West Midlands to train as a solicitor, qualifying in 1983.

His 38-year career saw him train and qualify in Birmingham and later join Millichips Solicitors, a firm that once had offices in West Bromwich and Solihull.

Brien became a partner at Millichips’ former Solihull office before joining Thursfields as a senior associate solicitor in 2016.

He said: “I have worked in Solihull for the last 20 years, joining Thursfields from Millichips in May 2016, and have assisted with the growth of the office and the subsequent move to Thursfields’ current larger premises in Warwick Road.

“I have, over the years, acted for some household names in the retail sector that have stores in most of the major shopping centres in England and Wales.

“In the last three years with Thursfields, I have really enjoyed working with my new colleagues in a dynamic, forward-thinking business.

“I am very pleased to be passing on my contacts to Rob Pettigrew and Robin Creek, Thursfields’ experienced commercial property directors based in the Solihull office.”

Nick O’Hara, managing director at Thursfields, said: “We were delighted to add Mike to our team in 2016, and he has been a key part in helping Thursfields’ growth in Solihull.

“He is very well known in the area and we’re very grateful for his contributions over the last three years.

“Although we will miss Mike, we wish him and his family the very best for a long and happy retirement.”

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