Big Four firm names new Yorkshire head
PWC have announced that Arif Ahmad will be leaving the Leeds office for London, and have chosen a replacement for the long-serving office senior partner.
Forensic practice leader Will Richardson will take over from Mr Ahmad from 1 January 2017.
Mr Ahmad will take up a new role within PwC heading up its London Mid-Market Assurance department focusing on privately owned and private equity backed businesses, and listed companies outside the FTSE 100.
Mr Richardson has been with PwC 23 years and has worked in the firm’s assurance, transaction services and forensic practices. Yorkshire born and bred, Mr Richardson hails from Masham in North Yorkshire, and spent some of his career down in London.
After working in transaction services for a number of years, Mr Richardson moved into forensic accounting, saying the “breadth and depth” of the role really appealed to him.
He said of his new role and his predecessor: “Arif has done a fantastic job, and it’s a case of “more of the same”. What Arif has brought to the role is great passion and drive and real zest to make sure that we’re a presence in the marketplace and community, creating opportunities for our people and our clients.
“A huge driver for me is helping people – you’re talking to working class lad from the North, I still think it’s amazing I’ve had this opportunity, and giving people the same opportunities is at the core of what I want to do.”
Arif Ahmad said: “I’ve hugely enjoyed my time as PwC Leeds Office Senior Partner and am very proud of what we as a team have achieved. Our recent move to Central Square is an ideal opportunity to hand over the reins, and I know Will will do a great job leading the team in the next phase of our growth plans.”
Ian Morrison, Yorkshire & North East regional leader, concluded: “I’m delighted that Will has been appointed to the role of Office Senior Partner. He brings a wealth of experience to the position having worked across a number of different practices during his 23 years with the firm.
“He takes over at what is a very exciting time for the Leeds office as we look to set the standard on how we work that will become the blueprint for all other UK PwC offices in the future.”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Arif for the tremendous impact he has had on the Leeds office since his appointment. We are now the national centre of excellence for our retail and consumer practice and our recent move to Central Square, in which Arif played a pivotal role over a three year period, is testament to the transformation that has taken place and the importance of our office here.”
