KPMG appoints James Kergon as Scotland Senior Partner

KPMG has appointed James Kergon as Scotland 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.

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 learnt 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.” 

                                                                                                ENDS

 

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About KPMG

KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 21 offices across the UK with approximately 16,000 partners and staff.  The UK firm recorded a revenue of £2.3 billion in the year ended 30 September 2020.

KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. It operates in 147 countries and territories and has more than 219,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.