EY expands its presence across Yorkshire

Professional services business EY has reported a 28% increase in headcount across its Yorkshire offices over the last financial year.

The company has published its latest report, which highlights overall steady UK growth, with the firm prioritising continued investment in its regional business, audit quality, talent, technology, and environmental sustainability.

It has continued to invest in its regional business across the UK, with 31% of its 2,600 new recruits based in its regional offices and 55% of its graduate and student hires based outside of London.

EY’s Yorkshire practice, comprising offices in Leeds and Hull, now has a 500-strong team across both offices, a 28% increase on the previous year.

Suzanne Robinson, EY managing partner for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “It’s been another good year for EY and one that has seen growth both nationally and across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

“Headcount in the region increased by nearly 30%. EY’s continued commitment to growth in the regions is illustrated again this year with growth in key areas such as Transaction Support and International Transactions and Tax Services (ITTS) teams, thanks to some significant senior hires and investment in our existing people.”

Following 12 months in the role as head of Transaction Support for Yorkshire and the North East, Mark Allcroft announced in February that the team had grown to 10 professionals, underlining EY’s commitment to strengthening its deals portfolio in the region. The team also acted on various high-profile deals over the financial year.

EY also grew its ITTS team in the North with a raft of senior appointments and promotions throughout the year, in response to the increasing demand for its services.

The Northern ITTS team made five senior appointments and three senior promotions as well as taking on new graduates and experienced staff, growing the team across Yorkshire and the North West to approximately 50 people.

Key hires included Jahangir Rashid from KPMG who joined as a director focusing on international tax in Leeds, while internally, Dan Dickinson was promoted to associate partner in the international tax team, also in Leeds.

Robinson leads EY’s Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) team outside of London, which specialises in providing practical, technically robust solutions to technical accounting challenges. She is an active supporter of the EY Foundation – EY’s independent charity – and is a trustee for Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds.

She added: “My work with the EY Foundation and other community roles are proof to me of the need to invest regionally to promote future growth and prosperity. EY espouses this sentiment and in Yorkshire we invest in local talent to ensure we can meet the firm’s growing needs with people based in the region who know the market and can therefore best advise our clients.

“We also understand that having a wider understanding of the national business landscape is essential to best serve our clients, as we continue to attract people to our Leeds and Hull offices from right across the UK, including the capital.”

EY in Yorkshire also welcomed a total of 31 graduates and apprentices. The new cohort, comprised of 21 graduates and 10 apprentices, split between Leeds and Hull, will be working towards digital apprenticeships schemes, bachelor’s degrees and other professional qualifications.

Robinson said: “We were delighted to welcome so many new graduates to EY this year and are thrilled our apprenticeship programme continues to grow in popularity.

“Apprentices are vital to our business, driving fresh thought and innovation throughout our services. These schemes are a great opportunity for students from all walks of life to access work experience and a degree qualification with an international firm, without the burden of tuition fees.”

This year saw EY rank in the top 25 of the Best Companies to Work For in Yorkshire and the Humber 2019. The list represents the 75 organisations with the highest Regional Best Companies Index (RBCI) scores.

Across the UK, EY’s fee income grew to £2.45bn in the financial year ending 30 June 2019, increasing from £2.41bn the previous year. Despite a challenging business environment, revenues in Transaction Advisory Services and Tax grew strongly by 9% and 8% respectively, while Advisory and Assurance revenues declined on previous years by 3% and 5%.

Over the last five years, EY has achieved a UK Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6%.

Steve Varley, EY’s UK chairman, said: “We are very clear about the crucial role our work plays in building and sustaining trust and confidence in the capital markets and helping to improve the attractiveness of the UK as a centre for business.

“That’s why it’s important we have continued to invest in the right places, despite the uncertain economic environment. This year alone we’ve hired over 2,600 people, with more than a third of all roles in our regional business, invested around £31m in training and development, and have made significant investments in our tech capabilities.”