Dow Schofield Watts boosts top team as it targets national growth
Dow Schofield Watts has made two strategic appointments to strengthen its management team as it prepares to roll out its brand in key cities across the UK.
Richard Evans joins as the group’s Operations Director, having previously been COO of the London investment bank Strand Hanson, while Nicole Burstow joins from Deloitte to become the group’s Finance Director.
Their arrival comes as Dow Schofield Watts plans to continue its rapid growth by adding new service lines and locations and appointing over 20 new partners in the next 18 months.
Richard Evans has over 30 years’ experience in banking and finance. Having worked at BDO, he led the corporate finance team at Brewin Dolphin in Manchester for over a decade before joining the Financial Conduct Authority in London and later, Strand Hanson. Richard will also act as Finance Director of Dow Schofield Watts’ private equity arm PHD Equity Partners.
Nicole Burstow previously spent 15 years with Deloitte in Manchester. As a Director, she was responsible for leading the audits of some of the region’s largest and most complex international businesses, more recently focusing on listed businesses. She also played a significant role in growing the North West practice by recruiting and developing top talent and expanding the local client base.
Established in 2002, Dow Schofield Watts now has over 70 professionals across the North West, Leeds and London and ranks as a top 75 accountancy firm, offering ‘everything but audit’. The firm operates a licensing system and offers professionals from ‘big four’ backgrounds an opportunity to run their own business unit under its banner.
James Dow, founding partner, said: “The launch of the London office last year has already established Dow Schofield Watts as one of the UK’s leading independent advisory firms and one of the most active M&A advisors. Out business model is proving increasingly attractive to entrepreneurial professionals seeking the chance to build their own business and realise their potential. Any break-up of the ‘big four’ as a result of the forthcoming audit review will no doubt open up further opportunities.
“Richard and Nicole are both high-calibre individuals with a strong track record in managing growth. With their arrival we now have the right infrastructure in place to support our further expansion as we roll out our model to other key locations in the UK and prepare to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”
