BDO has announced three new partners in North West

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has announced the promotion of 20 new partners across the firm with Lucy Sauvage, Graham Ellis and Spencer Ashworth all named partner in the North West team. Sakib Isa was also promoted to director in the North West audit team.

Joining BDO 12 years ago, tax partner, Lucy Sauvage, has 15 years’ experience successfully advising a range of clients on tax risk issues – from high-net worth individuals to FTSE 100 businesses. Lucy is also a Tax Dispute Resolution license holder.

Graham Ellis has been made audit partner, having joined the firm in 2014. Graham has built a strong track record of working with public interest entities and businesses across a range of sectors with a particular focus on manufacturing. He has also been pivotal in building out BDO’s Liverpool presence which has expanded significantly in recent years.

Spencer Ashworth has been named technology risk assurance partner and his role spans the firm’s northern audit practice as he supports other partners throughout the region on audit strategy. With nearly two decades of experience, Spencer is adept at identifying and delivering technological solutions for business-related challenges.

The promotions, delayed from June 2020 as a result of COVID-19, are effective from 1^st January 2021.

Lucy Sauvage, tax partner at BDO said: “BDO is a great place to work with a leadership team which is committed to creating a culture that allows people to develop and progress in their career and achieve their own ambitions. This supportive culture has continued – even strengthened – as we’ve all adapted to remote working. I look forward to championing this in my new role as partner.”

Partner, Spencer Ashworth added: “The past year has been a challenge for companies in the region and 2021 brings new obstacles on the horizon for those who have weathered the storm. We are well placed to support companies across a range of sectors and stages of their evolution as business leaders re-think the way they operate.”

Graham Ellis, audit partner added: “As a firm, we’ve seen significant growth in the region in recent years, including investment and job creation in the Liverpool market and ongoing recruitment in our audit practice. The past 12 months have presented new challenges for the organisations we work with and our team is committed to helping our clients continue to succeed.”

Nationally, the new partners have significant experience across a wide range of sectors and specialisms including the professional services, technology and media, financial services and private equity. Eight of the 20 promotions are outside of London, including three in the North West.

Ed Dwan, partner and head of BDO in the North West said: “2020 was a testing year for businesses and individuals alike. None of us could have predicted that we’d be working as a fully-remote workforce for almost twelve months as a result of the pandemic.

“As a firm we put a number of measures in place to help us better weather the storm, including a pause on promotions last year. Announcing these promotions now is an uplifting start to the year and very well deserved by Lucy, Graham, Spencer and Sakib. All four epitomise the qualities and talent that we strive for across our teams – I’d like to congratulate them and I look forward to seeing all four continue to succeed in their new roles.”