KPMG makes partner promotions in the South East

KPMG UK has responded to areas of growth in its support of the South East business community by making several partner promotions in its Reading and South Coast offices.

The business advisory firm has promoted Craig Rowlands, James Childs-Clarke and Neil Weedon to partner in the region.

Craig Rowlands has been with KPMG for more than a decade and now leads the Family Office and Private Client practice’s offering in Reading. His role focuses on working directly with the owners of private businesses across the South East, supporting them through complex transactions, such as third-party sales, demergers and succession planning.

James Childs-Clarke has been promoted within the audit practice, where he will continue his work supporting the region’s largest corporate and listed companies. James has also been with KPMG for over a decade, working alongside local boards and management teams of fast-growing businesses to help them continue to scale up.

Neil Weedon, who is the longest serving of the three with more than 20 years at the business, including a two-year stint in South Africa, is now a partner in the South East indirect tax team. He advises clients from start-ups through to large international organisations within the region on areas including supply chain issues, tax governance and risk management, and maximising the operational efficiency of indirect tax.

Will Smith, Office Senior partner for KPMG in the South East, said: “The South East business community has a pivotal role to play in the UK’s economic recovery, and there has never been a more exciting time to support our local companies to navigate the increasingly complex challenges they are facing as they continue to target growth.

“Our clients rely on the experience and expertise of our people to support them through these challenges, which is why we continue to invest in the team here. Celebrating their success is always important but, given the past couple of years, these promotions are particularly significant and signify our commitment to the South East market as well as the continued hard work of our team.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to create a working environment which encourages our people to build skills and grow their careers over the long term.”

KPMG UK has made a range of senior promotions nationally, with over 1,700 colleagues promoted at the start of the firm’s new financial year last October.