Phil Murden becomes senior partner for KPMG Leeds office

KPMG has appointed Phil Murden as its new office senior partner for the Leeds office. Murden commented that he is “delighted” with the appointment, heading “a hugely talented team on the ground in Yorkshire across audit, consulting, deals, legal and tax, as well as a strong presence in the North-East.”

Murden continued, “It’s a huge privilege to be leading KPMG’s profile in the market alongside my colleagues. As a region we are fortunate to have a thriving business community and a collaborative and engaged public sector. We have a Combined Authority making a real difference and many stand-out infrastructure investments such as the railway station, City Square and exciting developments in healthcare, education and transport.  This creates an ideal environment and opportunities for private businesses and people who live across the region."

A qualified accountant, Murden previously held roles at HM Treasury and Livingbridge before re-joining KPMG 10 years ago. More recently, he led KPMG’s Consulting practice in the North and he has a strong track-record of helping clients through transformation journeys involving technology and digital. Starting from March 2024, his new role will see him lead 1,100 colleagues in KPMG’s Sovereign Square office.

Murden will maintain his role as a consulting partner while leading the growth of the firm's audit, consulting, deals, legal and tax practices in the region. He will also focus on enhancing KPMG's market presence and expanding the client base as well as championing diversity, inclusion and sustainability in the regional practice.

Murden takes over the position from Euan West, who after four years in the role will move to lead KPMG UK’s private enterprise business. Commenting on his own move, West noted that it “has been an honour to lead the Leeds office over the past four years,” and that he looks forward “to seeing how the region’s business landscape will evolve over the next few years.”

West concluded, “The role of Office Senior Partner in Leeds has been the highlight of my career to date, getting the chance to see the work of our incredibly talented teams and the exciting businesses that our region has to offer. I know Phil will do an amazing job supporting our people and helping the region’s businesses to continue to flourish.”

Part of the global Big Four network of KPMG, the KPMG UK wing operates from 20 offices across the country, with approximately 17,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.96 billion in its 2023 financial year.