KPMG has appointed James Kergon as Scotland’s senior partner to lead the business advisory firm nationally.
James is responsible for a team of more than 1,300 people across KPMG’s offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, with a remit to drive the firm’s growth in Scotland.
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James joined KPMG as a graduate in Glasgow 23 years ago, qualifying in 2001 before moving from audit to transaction services in 2003. He became a partner in 2016 and took over as Glasgow office senior partner in June 2020.
He replaces Catherine Burnet – who became KPMG’s head of UK audit in May – and will work closely with Aberdeen office senior partner, Martin Findlay. James will also continue in his role as the firm’s Scottish head of deal advisory, advising businesses and investors on transactions.
KPMG is a leading provider of professional services to Scotland’s business community and the public sector. It works with firms across every industry, based both locally and overseas, offering audit, tax, and advisory services, including corporate finance, transaction services, pensions advisory, risk consulting, restructuring, and management consulting.
Commenting on his appointment, James said: “I am incredibly proud to have the opportunity to lead KPMG in Scotland. I have worked closely with and learned a lot from my predecessors in the role and look forward to building on the firm’s strong heritage in Scotland and empowering the exceptional people that underpin our success.
“It’s a truly remarkable time for businesses. We are supporting clients of every size against a backdrop of economic recovery and rapid change, advising on everything from new technology and M&A to the steps our clients need to take to become more sustainable. And our clients, like all of our own people, are adapting to new ways of working.”
Chris Hearld, head of regions at KPMG in the UK, added: “James’ leadership of our Glasgow office and Scottish deal advisory team make him perfectly suited to support our clients as the pace of Scotland’s economic recovery from Covid-19 accelerates.
“It’s also great to see someone who’s gained more than two decades’ experience with the firm, on the ground in Scotland, take on the senior partner role. It helps showcase the investment we make in people to the businesses we work with and, more importantly, our latest cohort of new joiners, graduates and apprentices.”
