KPMG strengthens Scottish team with two new partner appointments

KPMG is targeting growth in its transaction services, tax, audit and management consultancy teams in Scotland, with promotions at partner and director levels.

James Kergon, previously a director for the firm’s transaction services arm, has been promoted to partner.

Based in Glasgow, Mr Kergon is responsible for due-diligence support for a large number of corporate and private equity clients.

Having joined KPMG as a graduate in 1998, he has experience across a variety of sectors and has specialised in transactions for 13 years.

In his role as partner, he will continue to advise a number of businesses on M&A activity, while leading the firm’s deal advisory business across central Scotland.

The firm has also said Alan Turner was recently promoted to partner in the tax team.

With more than 17 years’ experience providing advice to clients on a range of domestic and international tax matters, he previously led KPMG’s tax centre of excellence in New York and has a significant global network.

His new role will see him take the lead in advising a number of global clients.

In addition to the partner appointments, the firm has further bolstered the transaction services team with the promotion of Susan Dunlop; the audit team with the promotion of Grant Archer and the management consulting arm of the firm with the promotion of Lawrence Hunt. Each has been promoted to director level.

All of the promotions will help the firm’s drive to grow clients and revenues through new business opportunities in Scotland.

Catherine Burnet, senior partner for KPMG in Scotland, said: “This latest round of promotions highlights the significant investment being made across the firm in Scotland to support our ambitious growth plans.

“At partner level Alan Turner and James Kergon will play a central role in developing our existing presence in tax advice and deal advisory services respectively. Meanwhile all three of our new directors have considerable experience working across a range of industry sectors and have a deep understanding of the key issues affecting our clients. We are therefore confident that during this period of prolonged uncertainty, we have the right team in place to provide advice and support to our clients.”

The promotions are part of ongoing investment in KPMG’s Scottish teams. Earlier this year the firm’s enterprise team in Scotland appointed two new directors. Craig Cavin became head of enterprise consulting and Ross Marshall joined as a tax director.

There has also been a number of changes to KPMG’s senior leadership team in Scotland. Martin Findlay, head of tax in Aberdeen, became the office senior partner in April, and Phil Charles, head of enterprise in Scotland, became senior partner in Glasgow.

Colin Williamson is now operations director at KPMG’s Glasgow based small business accounting service and Andy Myers succeeded Mr Williamson as director of the firm’s UK tax centre of excellence, also based in Glasgow.

Catherine Burnet became KPMG’s senior partner in Scotland in October.