Cooper Parry backing next generation of Yorkshire success stories: Arif Ahmad
Yorkshire has always had a reputation for resilience, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. Having spent much of my career working with businesses across the region, I’ve seen first-hand how those qualities continue to fuel success, even through periods of economic uncertainty.
Across the region, ambitious businesses are scaling nationally and internationally, creating jobs, attracting investment and helping shape the future of the UK economy.
From manufacturing and food production to technology and the Northern Square Mile centred around financial and professional services, Yorkshire is home to some exceptional businesses. Ambitious leaders are operating in an increasingly complex environment, and the right advice can make a real difference.
Many organisations have emerged from recent years with renewed confidence and a clear focus on what’s next. Some are pursuing mergers and acquisitions to accelerate growth. Others are preparing for private equity investment, refinancing activity or succession planning.
Management teams are also dealing with increasingly complex financial, tax and reporting requirements.
While these businesses span different sectors and stages of growth, they often share a common goal: moving forward with confidence. Having the right advisers around the table can help unlock opportunities, navigate challenges and create long-term value.
As demand across the region continues to grow, so too does Cooper Parry’s commitment to Yorkshire.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built in Leeds. From launching less than a year ago, we’re into double figures already in team size with lots more to come. We bring together Big Four experience, deep sector expertise and a genuinely collaborative approach.
Between us, we've spent decades working alongside businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. We’ve also built a leadership team that’s making an impact across Cooper Parry nationally. Our Leeds hub is home to senior specialists leading services across areas including global mobility, transaction services and specialist finance support, giving clients access to expertise that extends far beyond the region itself.
More importantly, we’ve brought together people who understand the realities of running and growing ambitious businesses. Technical expertise matters, but so does understanding the pressures, opportunities and decisions leaders face every day.
One of the greatest strengths of our Yorkshire team is the breadth of experience we bring to the businesses we work with. We work across audit, transaction services, tax and advisory, supporting clients at every stage of their journey.
What differentiates professional services firms today isn’t simply technical expertise, it’s how that expertise is delivered. Business leaders want advisers who understand their ambitions, work alongside their teams and provide practical solutions rather than theoretical advice. It’s about helping businesses navigate challenges, seize opportunities and create sustainable growth. And most importantly, we’re investing in building deep relationships across the region.
Yorkshire has an incredibly exciting future. As we invest in the region and grow our local presence, I’m excited about the role we can play in supporting the next generation of Yorkshire success stories.
Arif Ahmad is Yorkshire Lead for Cooper Parry