Deloitte UK promotes 75 partners, third are women
Deloitte UK has promoted 75 new partners, and while the majority are located in the Capital, 23 will work across various regions of the UK, including 5 in Manchester and 3 in Reading. In line with the firm’s commitment to diversity, the consultancy has successfully created the opportunities in which almost a third of those promoted are women moving into the leadership level – well above the 18% average for leadership positions in Europe.
With around 12,000 employees, Deloitte is one of the largest professional services firms in the UK. On the back of its growing financial footprint, the firm has unveiled the promotion of 75 new partners, of which 35 are equity partners. This intake represents the largest of new partners in the firm’s history. The largest number of newly promoted partners are based in London, however, 23 will be based outside the capital as a sign of the firm’s concerted effort to create a wider network throughout the UK.
Regionally, Manchester is to get five new partners; Reading will get three; Leeds two; and Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle one each. Deloitte’s Swiss unit, which is part of the UK, has been bolstered with seven new partners. In terms of functional area, the firm’s Audit practice will be boosted by 21, its Tax division by 17, Consulting will receive 16 new partners, while Corporate Finance will receive 13.
David Sproul, Chief Executive at Deloitte UK, says: “The promotions represent a major investment in our services and in our people and demonstrates the confidence we have about the growth opportunities that lie ahead. This investment will help ensure Deloitte continues to make an impact that matters through supporting the growth and competitiveness of UK PLC and building trust and confidence in the capital markets.”
Gender equality
One aspect of the new hires is that nearly a third of those promoted to partnership status are female. As it stands, 25% of both the firm’s Executive and Board are female, and reflects that Deloitte has been making strides in improving female representation within the halls of business – the firm was recently named the 12th in the top 50 gender equality workplaces as well as in the top 50 for the best LGTB employers.
To further realise the potential of women, the firm will start experimenting in September with a ‘return-to-work’ scheme for Deloitte alumni, that offers a 12-week paid internship to women who have been out of the workforce for between three and six years. The aim of this programme is to bring 80% of participants back to the fold, with longer-term roles with the firm at the end of their internship.
Emma Codd, Managing Partner for Talent, comments: “Gender diversity at leadership levels remains a challenge for many businesses but there is an ever-increasing understanding of the issues that hold women back in the workplace and the ways in which we can best tackle these. We have implemented a series of actions to increase the number of women we recruit, to ensure that development opportunities are clearly available and to provide a working environment that enables women to balance a successful career with family life.”
