New chair appointed to run big four firm’s business across the North
Big five accountancy firm KPMG has appointed a new chair to take charge of its business in the North.
Christine Hewson has been appointed new North Region chair and she will have responsibility for the firm’s offices in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield.
She is taking over from Chris Hearld who was recently named the UK wide head of regions after joining the firm’s executive leadership team.
Christine will be based in KPMG’s Leeds office and is an elected member of the firm’s UK Board.
She has more than 20 years’ experience working across its operations in the North, having led its northern tax and pensions and retail practices.
She was appointed to KPMG’s partnership in 2006 having joined as a graduate in 1989.
Christine was also invited to the Northern Power Women’s Power List in 2017 and mentors women in business and not for profit sectors across the region.
She said: “The North’s business community continues to prove to be one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial, both at home and internationally.
“Our traditional sectors remain vital to the region’s future prosperity as they evolve alongside the success of emerging and fast-growth digital industries.
“I’m delighted to be leading such a strong team of people across our offices and looking forward to working closely with Nicola Quayle, Euan West and David Elliott, as office senior partners, to support our ambitious client base in making their visions a reality.
“There is a real need to bring the government’s industrial strategy to life and it’s clear that, with the right support, business leaders across the region have both the knowledge and the resolve to do so.”
Chris Hearld added: “Christine has played a key role in developing our northern strategy in recent years and I am in no doubt she will continue to prove an outstanding champion and leader for the region.
“Our northern business grew by seven per cent last year and we have developed an exceptional partnership across the firm that will only grow stronger as we look to support business’ aspirations both now and in future.”
