Reading: KPMG strengthens Enterprise in the South 

Professional services firm KPMG has appointed a partner and director to expand its Enterprise in the South offering.

Terri Coughlan, based in Reading, joins the enterprise team as an experienced markets partner after 18 years at PwC. Julia Branson joins the Reading office as a director, and will work closely with the enterprise consulting team. As well as running her own consulting business, Branson has spent time at Deloitte, PwC and James Cowper Kreston.

Ian Brokenshire, lead for Enterprise in the South, said: “KPMG’s enterprise team has experienced exponential growth in the south, growing by more than 100% from the same period last year.  We’ve highlighted significant opportunities among privately-owned businesses within the south, and particularly in the Thames Valley. Our investment in these two new roles will help us to continue to expand our offering in the SME market, and we’re thrilled to have Julia and Terri on board.”

On her appointment, Coughlan said: “There are plenty of opportunities we haven’t yet tapped into. Infrastructure, proximity to London, and a consistent source of skilled labour from the universities in Oxford and Reading means that privately-owned businesses here are growing fast. I’m looking forward to working with the wider team to expand our presence in the region, with a particular focus on the Thames Valley.” 

Branson said: “There are a huge number of private companies in the area that haven’t had access to a full consulting offering. A number of start-ups in the region, particularly in the tech sector, would also benefit from consulting support to help them grow.”