Member Article

PwC sees 9% growth in Yorkshire

PwC, the professional services firm, has reported 9% revenue growth across its Yorkshire & Humberside offices for the year ended 30 June 2014.

Nationally, the firm has reported revenue growth of 5% to £2.8 billion for the year, up from £2.7 billion the previous year.

The firm has around 900 employees across its Leeds, Sheffield and Hull offices, and recently appointed five equity partners in Yorkshire, and promoted three new directors.

It also increased its graduate places by 36%, recruiting 79 graduates and ten Higher Apprentices.

Among its key projects, the Yorkshire deals teams advised some of the region’s highest profile deals; including the IPOs of Bonmarche and Card Factory, the acquisition of Maplin by Rutland Partners, and Endless’ exit from Bathstore.

Its assurance division, which includes its audit business, won work with leading Yorkshire retailers Morrisons and ghd. Risk assurance recorded its fifth consecutive year of double digit growth

Its business recovery team played a key role in the administration and subsequent sale of Albemarle & Bond, which saved 128 branches and 628 jobs across the UK. The team also led on the financial restructure of Andrew Page allowing an injection of significant new capital.

The public sector practice has invested significantly in the team, appointing two new partners and creating a specialist hub to better service clients.

Its rapidly growing consultancy business recorded growth of 26%, with significant projects in the retail and public sector markets.

The region’s tax practice continued to expand, particularly within the private business space, supporting M&A activity and research and development credit claims for clients.

The firm supported Welcome to Yorkshire as part of the Tour de France Grand Depart, with a senior manager seconded to the group for 12 months providing expertise to help deliver the event.

Arif Ahmad, PwC’s senior partner in Leeds, commented: “Our Leeds practice has had a fantastic year, with significant growth in revenues across the business, iconic wins, involvement in many of the leading M&A projects, and investment in senior appointments.

“Support of our local community remains a priority. Our Leeds office raised over £25,000 and spent time volunteering to support St Gemma’s Hospice and a number of national charities.

“We were awarded the Business in Schools Award for our continued work with Immanuel College in Bradford, a partnership that we will continue to grow and develop.

“We were also particularly proud to support Welcome to Yorkshire in its spectacular Grand Depart, working with them for the last two years to bring the Tour to the region.”

Ian Morrison, PwC’s Yorkshire & North East regional leader, said: “Our strong performance reflects an improving economy, the growing confidence of our clients and the ongoing investment we have made to create a responsible, profitable and well diversified business.

“We have continued to invest throughout the year, admitting new partners and recruiting high levels of experienced hires, graduates and school leavers.

“This has positioned us well for the return of market confidence and reflects our strategy of building the right team of specialists so that we can continue to help our clients, and therefore the region, be successful.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .