Leonard Curtis appoints David Brown as COO and Paul Birks as CFO

Leonard Curtis has appointed two new members of its leadership team. As the firm embarks on a new programme of growth for the next three years, David Brown will serve as chief operating officer, while Paul Birks will work as the firm’s chief financial officer.
Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group is a professional services provider best known for its work as an insolvency specialist. The firm began life in Bury as the insolvency division of a regional accountancy practice, but has since gone on to employ over 300 people across 29 regional offices – including London and Guernsey – as an independent firm.
Speaking on the two new appointments, CEO Dan Booth commented, “David and Paul will co-ordinate our extensive office network and profit centres to maximise profitability, as well as identifying future cost savings across the group. They will be looking at improving the use of data to set better strategic and short-term department performance and growth goals and providing ultimate oversight and management of the collaboration and operational leadership teams.”
Both will also be responsible for leading the firm’s M&A strategy for the next three years. This will include integrating new acquisitions into the firm’s UK and offshore group, which has already seen rapid growth in the last 18 months, increasing revenue by 33% to £38 million since 2022.
David Brown, who joined the business in July 2023 as chief operations and financial officer, will now serve in a specific chief operating officer role. He takes on the role of COO with previous experience in audit, M&A and industry, while holding an MBA from Manchester Business School.
Brown noted, “The growth of the group over the recent past together with exciting opportunities ahead means we needed to evolve our structure. It’s a compelling proposition to take on the COO role and I am delighted to have been asked to lead the next stage of growth, alongside Dan, Paul and many talented colleagues.”
Paul Birks has been group financial director since September 2022. However, the move to change leadership structure at Leonard Curtis sees him promoted to chief financial officer. As CFO, he will work in close collaboration on several key areas of responsibility, operating alongside CEO Booth.
Birks concluded, “We have made great progress in the last two years, streamlining our reporting and financial policies and now we go again to strengthen that infrastructure to allow us to meet next level expectations. I am looking forward to it.”