Marc taking top regional KPMG post
BIG Four accountant PwC said it has seen a 35 per cent jump in the number of starters joining its Midlands teams.
The firm – which recently posted a 12 per cent rise in revenues to top £4.2 billion – said 223 people joined its offices in Birmingham, East Midlands and Milton Keynes in its autumn intake. It takes total staffing in the region to 2,500, including more than 2,000 in Birmingham.
Nationally, it now has more than 10,000 UK employees based outside London.
In the year to June 30, UK profits for PWC were £1.02 billion, up 8.7 per cent on 2018.
The firm said it welcomed a record 31 graduates and students in the autumn intake at its 300-strong East Midlands practice in Castle Donington.
That included starters in graduate level and higher apprentice roles.
The office serves clients across industries and markets synonymous with the region – including automotive, manufacturing, retail and consumer and many of the region’s private and listed businesses.
A spokesman said: “Nationally, the firm has recruited 1,200 graduates, with Midlands universities consistently providing more THE man who will replace Ian Borley as the new boss of KMPG in the East Midlands has been announced.
Marc Abrams, pictured, is being promoted to senior partner of the East Midlands practice, succeeding Ian Borley, who is stepping down ahead of retirement in April after nearly 35 years with the firm.
Marc, who is heading up the Leicester and Nottingham offices, has been with KPMG for 11 years, leading the firm’s tax practice in the region.
He has advised on some of the highest-profile transactions in recent years and worked with a range of businesses from privately owned to listed.
Ian has served on the CBI’s East Midlands Regional Council and been a board member of Leicestershire Business Voice – six as chairman – and of the National Space Centre.
He was a trustee at the National Forest Charitable Trust and of the Richard III Visitor Centre, and has been an awards judge for the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust.
He was named non-executive of the year at the 2016 Leicester Mercury Business Executive of the Year Awards.
Marc said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed to lead KPMG’s East Midlands practice.
“Over the past 11 years, I have seen the tremendous ability across the 200plus talented individuals that make up our vibrant local practice and the fabulous range of ambitious businesses within the East Midlands.
“Being an active and visible member of the business community continues to be a key part of KPMG’s regional strategy in the East Midlands. I’ve got big shoes to fill, but I’ll be working closely with Ian until he retires.” graduates for the firm’s intake nationally than other regions.
Paul Norbury, senior partner for the East Midlands office, said: “We are delighted to welcome our largest intake of new joiners. This demonstrates our commitment to recruiting talent including school leavers, apprentices and graduates.”
Ian said: “While I’ll be sad to leave KPMG after so long, I’m delighted to have handed over the reins in the East Midlands to such a talented and hardworking individual as Marc, who’s also a really nice bloke.”
Karl Edge, chairman of KPMG in the Midlands, said: “Marc is the right person to take over the reins and build on Ian’s legacy.
“Under Marc’s leadership, our tax practice in the East Midlands has achieved double digit growth every year for the past six years and he has developed a hugely talented team of people.
“Ian has done a fantastic job of leading our East Midlands offices over the past five years.
“He’s been extensively involved in the business community, and led the East Midlands practice to achieve consistent growth year-on-year.”