KPMG appoints West as new Liverpool head
Global professional services giant KPMG has announced the appointment of a new head at its Liverpool office. Euan West, who assumes the role of the outgoing Chris Fry, will take charge of the location at the turn of the year, as KPMG works to meet growing demand in the North West of England.
Euan West is currently the head of clients and growth for KPMG's National Markets business in the UK, working with a number of listed businesses including ASOS, PageGroup, SIG and KCOM. A member of the firm's National Markets leadership team, West presently sits on the organisation's Investment Review Board, alongside leading the firm's digital transformation programme across its regional business. He joined the Big Four group’s Leeds office in 2002, working his way to the position of Partner by 2011. Prior to life at KPMG, West worked his way to the rank of Senior Consultant at HMI Group over the course of a five year stint at the financial recruitment firm.
At present, KPMG works with companies across Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales including B&M, Liverpool FC and the Contact Company. The firm’s 95-strong Liverpool office is led by a Partner and Director group of ten senior professionals. West will head the office, becoming the Senior Partner from January 1st 2018, as he takes the reins from incumbent Senior Partner Chris Fry. Fry leaves the post after six years, although he will extend his 20 year tenure with the firm, continuing to work across the North West region as a KPMG tax partner, leading some of the firm's major accounts.
West said of his new appointment, "It's a fantastic privilege to be taking over the leadership of such a talented team at a time when Merseyside continues to build its reputation as an exceptional place in which to do business. The strength of the city region's traditional industries is matched by a raft of exciting growth sectors and an ambitious community of entrepreneurial start-ups, so I'm really excited about being able to play a part in shaping their future success.”
Chris Hearld, North region chairman for KPMG, added, "With Liverpool having the second fastest growing economy outside of London, it's an exciting time for the city region and there's a wealth of opportunity out there. I know that Euan will lead the office with passion, building on the great success we achieved under Chris Fry's leadership."
Merseyside is becoming an increasingly attractive proposition for the consulting industry, with a number of firms presently looking to grow their role in the region. Recently, Grant Thornton chose Liverpool as the pilot location for the firm’s new G service, aimed at small businesses in the city, while earlier in 2017, Ramboll won a bidding war to manage a £50 million project to develop a new cruise terminal facility in the city.
