Grant Thornton appoints new practice leader in Leeds

PROFESSIONAL services firm Grant Thornton has appointed a new practice leader to head up its team in Leeds and Newcastle.

Andy Wood, who leads the audit team in the region, takes over from Will Oxley, who is moving to a newly-created national role to lead the firm’s growth in the corporate market outside London as well as continuing with his leadership of the region’s transaction advisory business.

Mr Wood, who lives in Burley-in-Wharfedale, in West Yorkshire, joined Grant Thornton in 2007 following the firm’s merger with RSM Robson Rhodes, where he trained and qualified.

He became a partner at Robson Rhodes in 2003.

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Mr Wood has worked in Grant Thornton’s Leeds and London offices as well as undertaking a two year secondment in Paris in the late 1990s.

Grant Thornton employs a total of 201 staff in its Leeds and Newcastle offices.

Mr Oxley said: “Andy currently leads the audit team in the Yorkshire and North East practice making him ideally placed to extend his responsibilities given the key client relationships he retains, his detailed understanding of our client base and his strong reputation within the entrepreneurial and fast growing segment of the region’s corporate market.

“I am delighted with our continued success in the Yorkshire and North East practice, which compared favourably with our double digit growth nationally during 2014.

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“We have attracted and retained great talent in the business and worked with some of the leading corporates and financial institutions in the region.

“Under Andy’s leadership, I’m confident the Leeds and North East practice will continue to play its part in delivering future local and national growth. ”

Mr Wood said: “Over the last two years, Will has led the practice as the economy has emerged from the recession and faced some of the most challenging trading conditions the profession has seen in many years.

“Under his leadership, the practice has seen further expansion, and firmly established its position as a leading adviser to dynamic businesses and their owners, as well as developing its footprint in the large corporate market.

“It will be very much business as usual for our clients and team as we build on these solid foundations.”

Mr Wood and Mr Oxley will take on their new roles from the beginning of November.