KPMG names new corporate finance head and CBI brings in GT man

ACCOUNTANCY firm KPMG has appointed partner Christian Mayo, to lead its Yorkshire deals team.

The move comes following KPMG’s five deal completions in the North in as many weeks and the firm says it is an indicator of it’s confidence in the long term opportunities of the Yorkshire market and “commitment to investing in its people and capability, ready for the upturn”.

Mr Mayo is moving to head up KPMG’s Leeds Corporate Finance practice from its Manchester office, where he has been a key member of the advisory community for four years, as a partner since 2006.

He previously worked in Leeds for a decade, between 1995 and 2005, initially for merchant bank Hambros, before joining KPMG in 1999.

During that period he advised on a number of high profile transactions in the region, including the sale of Henry Boot’s housebuilding division to Wilson Bowdon, Town Centre Securities’ car parking business to Q-Park and Dewhirst’s £100m take-private.

He said: “I’m really pleased to return to Yorkshire, especially to lead such a high calibre team whose skills and determination mean we are one of the busiest dealmaking practices in the market.

“Reacquainting or introducing myself to the many members of the region’s financial community is my top priority, so that I can quickly begin to play an informed role in helping them to achieve their transaction related objectives.

“There’s no doubt life’s hard at the moment with funding and confidence at low ebbs but there are deals to be done, indeed it’s a time of opportunity for some to make canny acquisitions, while for others, it’s never been more important to make sure essential deals, such as some non core or stressed disposals are handled correctly.”

KPMG’s office senior partner, Iain Moffatt, said: “We are delighted to add to our Corporate Finance practice at partner level and to welcome Christian back to Leeds.

“In difficult times, such heavyweight advisers are in demand with clients for the experience and knowledge they can share, especially in a market where the success of some transactions can depend on speed of completion, which can only be achieved properly by skilful adviser.”

Mr Mayo will lead KPMG’s 12-strong Leeds office Corporate Finance team, supported by associate partner Rod Wilkinson and directors, Xavier Woodward and Giles Taylor.

He also maintains his leadership of the firm’s Northern practice, alongside Jonathan Boyers, KPMG’s northern head of Corporate Finance. This practice spans KPMG’s five offices across the North and is a 24-strong team, which has completed 17 deals in the last year.

Meanwhile The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Grant Thornton have announced the secondment of Jonathan Shipton as assistant regional director to its Yorkshire and Humber office. 

He joins from Grant Thornton’s corporate finance team in Leeds with more than 13 years experience in advising clients on fund raising, management buy-outs, company disposals and acquisitions. 
 
Mr Shipton will be seconded for a year and starts his new role next month.
 
Andrew Palmer, regional director of the CBI, said:  “Jonathan’s experience and skills in financial services will play an important part in ensuring we help the government to target its support where it will have the most impact.  Like the manufacturing sector a decade ago, this is a period of rapid change – and the winners will be those that adapt and seize new opportunities.”

Mr Palmer added that other challenges are to ensure that businesses can access finance:  “We have started a monthly survey to monitor the reality and would welcome views from all businesses in the region.”
 
Mr Shipton said: “I am delighted to be working with the CBI, one of the leading organisations in the UK which represents the interests of its members to Government and other regulatory bodies.  The secondment provides me with a great opportunity to use and develop my skills to help members with a wide range of business issues. 

“I am really looking forward to working with Andrew and the wider team at the CBI, at a time when all businesses are facing significant challenges.”
 
Jonathan Riley, Grant Thornton’s Leeds office managing partner said:  “Jonathan Shipton is one of our most able and respected directors.  We have always seen the CBI as a critical part of ensuring the region is heard by government and know that Jonathan will hit the ground running in helping to address the challenges of the next year.”