Pricing shows Big Four ‘are not too powerful’

Roger Marsh, a leading figure in Yorkshire’s professional services community who has worked at the Cabinet Office, was yesterday appointed as PwC’s office senior partner in Leeds.

In an exclusive interview, he told the Yorkshire Post that Yorkshire and the north of England needed to develop stronger delivery structures in order to rebalance the economy.

He said he didn’t believe there was too great a concentration of influence among the Big Four auditing firms – Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC.

In March, a parliamentary committee said that the Office of Fair Trading should carry out a review of the Big Four amid concerns their “complacency” contributed to the financial crisis.

Mr Marsh said: “If you look at the pricing pressures and tendering issues that all of us face – then that is the evidence to show there’s enough competition.”

He said he understood that there were concerns about what might happen to the market if one of the Big Four got into trouble.

“That’s an issue I have some sympathy with,’’ he said. “But I believe there’s enough market choice.

“Regulators need to make sure that whatever they want to regulate is for the benefit of market choice, rather than for the benefit of regulation.”

Mr Marsh succeeds Paul Nixon who has been appointed PwC’s national leader for Mid-Cap companies.

Mr Nixon will continue to be based in Leeds and remain involved in advising Yorkshire companies.

Mr Marsh joined the firm in Leeds as a graduate in 1976.

He rose through the ranks to become a partner in 1988. In his new role, he will lead the 700-strong Leeds office.

This new responsibility is in addition to his role as Northern Leader of the Government and Public Sector practice, a position he has held since 2009.

He also sits on the UK firm’s supervisory board.

From 2007 to 2009, he was seconded to the Cabinet Office as director general of strategic finance and operations.

As a member of the executive board, reporting to the Cabinet Secretary, he implemented a programme, including work within Number 10, to improve the department’s corporate services,

Earlier this year, Mr Marsh was involved in publishing the report – Rebalancing the economy: prospects for the North – in association with the thinktank The Smith Institute.

Mr Marsh said a financial magnet was needed to draw the world to the UK and the north.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “Somehow you need to decide strategically what you want, rather than just say, ‘Here’s a pot of money. Who will come and spend it and create jobs?’”

Instead of “having little bits of crumbs peppered around that don’t achieve anything” Yorkshire and the North should go for “big game-changing things”, he argued.

He added: “You need to define them and set about how you are going to achieve them.”

He said he wanted to increase PwC’s influence in Yorkshire, through initiatives such as sponsoring the Yorkshire Post’s Excellence in Business Awards.

He added: “I have always been committed to the region and its can-do philosophy and this new role means that I can help make a bigger contribution to the North’s success.

“Yorkshire is a major economic power in the North and there are so many opportunities for sustainable regional growth.

“As a key region for business investment, Yorkshire has a significant role to play as we all seek to recover from the current economic conditions.

“I am keen to raise the profile and impact of local business as the backbone of a prosperous regional and national econo- my.”

Bringing experience to the post

Roger Marsh has worked in a wide range of sectors during his 35-year career at PwC.

In the business recovery practice, he dealt with a variety of companies, including well-known household brands, power stations and even a cathedral.

He was promoted to become business recovery leader in the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1998.

He also worked in London and on a major insolvency in the banking industry in Toronto. Steve Denison, PwC’s Northern Chairman said:

“I’m pleased about Roger leveraging his vast experience, market profile and relationships to lead further success for our Leeds office and wider business.

“Roger’s successful leader-ship of the government and public sector practice across the North shows that he does not shy away from a challenge and is committed to delivering meaningful outcomes.”