Business advisory firm hires Holland & Barrett’s ex-CFO

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has appointed former Holland & Barrett’s chief financial officer Greg Watts as audit partner.

Watts, who will be based in the Midlands, previously spent 30 years at KPMG, working across audit, transaction services and internal audit, latterly leading the markets team in the region.

He has considerable experience working alongside FTSE and private equity businesses in the region, with particular expertise in retail/consumer and automotive sectors.

Richard Rose, partner at BDO and Head of the Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Greg to the BDO team. He brings considerable experience in the audit field, having worked alongside a large number of listed and private businesses across multiple industries and geographies.

“With significant expertise in supporting and advising some of the region’s most prominent businesses, he is perfectly positioned to help strengthen our proposition across our audit team.”

Watts said: “Having spent 15 months as CFO, helping to lead the successful turnaround of Holland & Barrett through a business-wide transformation project, I’m delighted to be back in practice, joining a dynamic and talented audit team.

“I’m eager to harness my experience working alongside senior international executive groups and boards of directors, as BDO increasingly looks to work with large UK corporates across the audit spectrum.”