Watson to lead EY in Yorkshire

STUART Watson has been appointed EY’s Yorkshire and Humberside senior partner as the business advisory firm continues to grow in the region.

Watson is an assurance partner and the UK Leader for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards programme. He spent 10 years commuting weekly from his home in Yorkshire to EY’s London office, which included a spell heading audit for the mid-market practice, before returning to the region permanently in 2008 to take up a role in the firm’s Leeds office.

A specialist in advising private equity-backed and listed mid-market companies in the region – including on IPOs, Watson will lead EY’s team serving Yorkshire and Humberside from the firm’s Leeds and Hull offices.

David Buckley, who previously headed the practice, has stepped down after over five years at the helm to concentrate on his roles advising a number of the firm’s largest national clients and leading EY’s Transaction Support team in the region.

During his time as senior partner, Buckley helped the Yorkshire practice to invest in new partners and staff, and significantly grow its client base.

Watson said: “David’s outstanding leadership of the firm in Yorkshire is made all the more impressive having coincided with such a challenging period for businesses in our region.

“In the improving economy, we are planning for continued growth after a strong performance to our June 2014 year-end, which was helped by the IPOs we completed and other transaction work for clients in Yorkshire and Humberside.

“Our clients are targeting opportunities around the world as their markets improve and we are geared up to help them make the most of these.

“We are also investing in our fast-growing financial services practice, and building our local government and healthcare advisory teams in response to fresh challenges and opportunities facing client organisations in these sectors.

“The Yorkshire and Humberside region is a strategically important market for us as a firm and the UK economy as a whole. Through investing in our business and people to support our clients’ ambitions – as well as supporting local communities – we are committed to helping the region prosper.”

Buckley said: “It has been an honour to lead our Yorkshire practice and such a talented team of professionals. Stuart is an excellent leader and the ideal choice to spearhead the practice’s expansion over the coming years.”