KPMG appoints James Kergon as Head of Glasgow office
Big Four professional services firm KPMG has appointed James Kergon as its new Senior Partner to lead the firm's Glasgow offices. In addition to leading the firm's largest Scottish base, Kergon will continue in his role as Head of Deals in Scotland.
KPMG has a team of more than 500 people in Glasgow, and is a leading provider of services to Scotland's corporate marketplace, across all sectors including financial services and the public sector. The firm works with local businesses as well as international clients with operations in Scotland, offering audit, tax, and advisory services, including corporate finance, transaction services, pensions advisory, risk consulting, restructuring and management consulting.
The office is facing a period of change at the top, with Phil Charles announcing he would step down as Senior Partner in 2020. Charles has spent five years in the role in Glasgow, but will now focus on his clients and will work closely with his successor, James Kergon to grow KPMG’s share of the private enterprise market.
Commenting on the change, KPMG Scotland Regional Chair Catherine Burnet said, “With more than 1,200 employees across Scotland, KPMG is a significant player in the country’s economy. With James at the helm in Glasgow, I’m confident we’re in a great position to play our part in rebuilding the Scottish economy and helping to restore long-term growth and business optimism.”
Kergon takes the job as Senior Partner in KPMG’s Glasgow locale having first joined the firm as a graduate in 1998. He became a Partner in 2016, and is also the company’s Head of Deals in Scotland. In his new position, Kergon will play a key role in driving the future growth and success of KPMG in Scotland, working alongside Burnet, Aberdeen Office Senior Partner Martin Findlay, and Edinburgh Senior Partner.
Speaking on his promotion, Kergon stated, “Glasgow has shaped my career, and our incredible team on the ground, working alongside a high calibre business community, perfectly reflects the city’s dynamism and reputation for entrepreneurialism and industrial innovation. The last few months have been extremely challenging for many, denting confidence and forcing us all to question what the future will look like. I believe our business in Scotland’s largest city is in an incredibly strong position to lead from the front, working closely with clients to navigate a return to sustainable, long-term growth.”
Scotland has been a major focal point for growth in the consulting industry of late. Earlier in 2020 this saw business advisory firm Quantuma acquire Glasgow-based insolvency and restructuring practice WRI Associates, while professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal has chosen Glasgow as its fifth key location in its on-going regional expansion in the UK.
