Iain Moffatt, 46, will replace Duncan Mycock, who has been number one for nearly seven years.

The big four firm credited Mr Mycock for the strong growth of its Leeds business, which saw it auditing many of Yorkshire's largest companies including Morrisons, Persimmon and HBOS.

The regional office employs more than 700 people and last year recorded a fee income approaching £100m.

A KPMG spokeswoman said: "Duncan Mycock will be refocusing on more client work.

"Iain Moffatt will be doing more market-facing profile work."

Mr Moffatt joined KPMG as a graduate in 1983 and has been an audit partner for 11 years, working with firms such as Pace, Marshalls, Foodvest and Shepherd Building Group.

He said: "I am delighted to be leading KPMG in Yorkshire and Humberside at a time when we are really in the ascendancy in the local marketplace.

"In common with many of our clients, we have an ambitious business plan that will require a good deal of energy to fulfil given the challenging issues all businesses are now facing.

"I'm confident our common sense approach of investing in our people and our capabilities as we support and help clients through more difficult times, will continue our success."

He added: "Under Duncan's leadership, KPMG in Leeds has not only thrived commercially but he also fostered close relationships with many public sector and community organisations which have benefited both parties."

Mr Moffatt assumes control on October 1.