Accountancy and consultancy EY appoints 669 partners globally

EY has appointed 669 partners worldwide over the past year. Of the 669 new partners, over a third (36%) come from an "emerging market", while 40% were based in Europe, 63 of whom reside in EY's UK offices.

Consulting firm EY has appointed and promoted 669 partners over the last year. Of all new partners, 30% are women – further supporting a recent diversity index which found EY as the 16th best employer for social mobility out of 100 firms across multiple sectors.

The most new partners were named in North and South America with 266 (40%). The EMEIA region (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) meanwhile ranked second with 236 nominations (35%), while Asia Pacific region saw 131 ascensions (20%) and Japan saw 36 such promotions (5%). EY currently employ over 250,000 people globally, with a presence spread over 150 countries.

For the third consecutive year, partners from the emerging markets continue to represent more than a third of all partner promotions, making up 36% this year (up from 35% in 2016 and 33% in 2015). EY also continues to accelerate its commitment to gender diversity across the global organization, with women representing nearly 30% of this year’s partner class.

By service line, Assurance accounted for the largest number of partner promotions once again, with 255 (38%). It was followed by Tax, with 171 (25%); Advisory, with 154 (23%); and Transaction Advisory Services, with 78 (12%). Additionally, 11 new partners (2%) were named within business support.

Mark Weinberger, EY Global Chairman and CEO, said, “Our annual partner promotions represent a significant career milestone and I’m proud of our highly diverse and outstanding new partner class. These partners have been selected for providing our clients with exceptional service, leading our people in high-performing teams and embodying our purpose of building a better working world. I thank all of this year’s new partners for their leadership and contributions to our clients, people and communities, and wish them continued success.”

UK diversity

Since 2013, the firm has paid particular attention to diversity, by imposing a 30% female acceptance rate alongside a 10% Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) representation in its its UK firm. EY continues to exercise tight control over its new partners by measuring the firm’s intake every three years. The Big Four have each become members of the "30 per cent Club", whereby an organisation strives to promote equality by setting a minimum of 30% female representation on FTSE 100 boards by 2020. 

Current employment figures account for a 28% female intake, and an 11% BME intake in the UK in 2017. Competitors PwC and Deloitte have also released figures to indicate their progress in this regard, with PwC matching EY in its 27% female partner intake, and Deloitte not lagging far behind with 23%. PwC appointed 52 new partners and Deloitte had promoted 57 new partners in the UK in that time.

Maggie Stilwell, a current managing partner at EY commented, “Creating an inclusive culture, where diversity is celebrated and our people are free to be themselves is a firm priority. In such an environment individual can thrive and achieve their ambitions; it also makes for a better business performance.”

“Coupled with cultivating an inclusive and flexible working culture, we run targeted initiatives that support the progression of female and BME talent throughout the organisation. Our investment and efforts to strengthen our pipeline of future leaders are making a difference and will pay greater dividends in the future.”