PKF Smith Cooper adds James Roberts and Brent Kerrison to M&A team

03 June 2026 Consultancy.uk

PKF Smith Cooper, the Midlands business of PKF, has strengthened its M&A team with two new hires: James Roberts and Brent Kerrison.

James Roberts joins the accounting and consulting firm as a Manager in its Transaction and Advisory Services practice. He started his career in audit at PwC before transitioning to transaction advisory at RSM. Most recently, he worked in finance at Greene King, which operates 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland.

Roberts brings to PKF Smith Cooper knowledge across a variety of sectors, including professional services, technology, healthcare, hospitality, and leisure.

On joining the firm, Roberts commented: “I’m pleased to be joining PKF Smith Cooper at a time of strong growth within the Transaction and Advisory Services team. The firm’s expanding transactions capability and its reputation for delivering high quality financial due diligence and wider advisory support were key factors in my decision, and I’m looking forward to working with clients across a broad range of sectors.”

Brent Kerrison joins the group from Avant Homes and previously spent years at Forvis Mazars, where he worked with a wide range of clients including social sector organisations, privately owned businesses and private equity-backed companies. Kerrison has been appointed a Senior Executive.

“It’s great to be joining PKF Smith Cooper and become a part of the Transaction and Advisory Services team. I’m looking forward to bringing experience from both practice and industry to support clients on a wide range of transactions,” he said.

PKF Smith Cooper operates across the Midlands, in areas including Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Ashbourne. Its M&A team was recently recognised among the leading M&A consultancies in the UK market.

David Nelson, Senior Partner and Head of Transaction and Advisory Services commented: “We’re delighted to welcome James and Brent to the team as we continue to strengthen our Transaction and Advisory Services offering across the Midlands. Both bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives to the team, which will further enhance the support we provide to clients navigating complex transactions and strategic decisions.”