Hilary Heap to lead northern market for EY UK

EY has appointed Hilary Heap as the firm’s new north market leader. Having joined the firm eight years ago, she will also serve as managing partner for the company’s Manchester office.
Big Four professional services firm EY has a strong presence in the North of England, with offices in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Liverpool, and a team of over 2,000 people across the region. Since 2020, the north market practice has been headed up by Stephen Church.
However, Church was recently appointed as EY’s new UK&I private and mid-market leader, which will see him continue to work with colleagues and clients in the North of England and across the wider UK market. As such, he has had to vacate the role of North market leader.
Commenting on the news, Church said, “I have absolutely loved my time as EY’s north market leader and Manchester office managing partner, and I am very proud of all we have accomplished in the region over the last five years, particularly how we navigated the pandemic and the growth we have achieved together across the North.”
Looking ahead, Hilary Heap will step into both those positions, bringing 30 years of professional services experience to the roles. Speaking on his successor, Church added he has “every confidence that she will continue to be an excellent ambassador for our business, ensuring that EY remains a great place for our people to build their careers.”
Heap joined EY in 2016, before being promoted to partner in the summer of 2017, and has previously led the firm’s valuation practice in the North of England. She brings a wealth of business experience and North market connections to the role having worked with a wide range of major clients in the region.
Speaking on her new challenge, Heap concluded, “Stephen Church has done a remarkable job over the last five years in leading our North practice and I’m looking forward to working with our people to build on this success going forward. I am delighted and humbled in equal measure to have been given the opportunity to lead EY’s North business. We have a dedicated and talented team of professionals right across the region, and we are continuing to grow to meet the needs of a diverse and strong client base.”