BDO hires Laurie Hannant, appointed partner in Nottingham
Professional services firm BDO has appointed a new Partner to its Audit division in Nottingham. Laurie Hannant brings more than 20 years of auditing experience to the role, and the former EY professional also adds to the firm’s growing challenge to the Big Four’s dominance of UK auditing.
2018 saw a year of major growth for the auditing and advisory provision of professional services firm BDO. The firm further grew its leading position as a junior market auditor – ahead even the Big Four – while late in the year, news broke that BDO and Moore Stephens were poised to clinch a merger deal in the near future, leapfrogging Grant Thornton as the UK’s fifth largest professional services firm. The transaction is expected to complete in spring 2019, and will create an entity with a gross annual revenue of approximately £600 million.
As BDO looks to further strengthen its position as a major competitor of the Big Four’s stranglehold on the UK’s auditing scene, the firm has appointed a new regional Audit Partner in the East Midlands. Joining the team in BDO’s Nottingham office, Laurie Hannant arrives following 15 years’ experience at EY where she led complex audits for clients as a Director. Before her time there, she spent three years as an Audit Executive at Tenon, following a four year stint as an Audit Trainee with Gregory Priestley and Stewart.
Commenting on her new challenge, Hannant said, "The East Midlands is such a dynamic and fast growing business community and the role presented a compelling opportunity to work back in my home region. As BDO is set to join forces with Moore Stephens, it’s a fantastic time to be joining such an ambitious firm. We’ve never experienced so much change in the audit industry and combined with the current political backdrop, it’s a fascinating time to work in our sector. I’m looking forward to adding value to the firm, our clients and the wider businesses community."
Andrew Mair, Partner and Head of BDO in the East Midlands, added, "As a business, we’re always looking to attract and retain the best talent the sector has to offer – and Laurie is a great example of just that. This latest hire in the East Midlands reinforces our commitment to ensuring we provide our clients with quality advice they can trust."
Related: BDO appoints Jill Halford as Partner for audits in charity wing.
