• Kathryn Harding, Liam Finnigan, Alexander Simpson, Rick Nash and Sarah Anthony made partner at the business advisory firm’s St Peter’s Square office

The Manchester office of business advisory firm KPMG has announced the appointment of five new partners across its tax, audit and financial services practices.

Liam Finnigan has been appointed partner within KPMG’s audit team. Joining the firm in 2000 as a graduate, he’s gained a wealth of experience working closely with privately-owned and listed businesses in the leisure and tourism, defence and aerospace and manufacturing sectors across Manchester and the North.

Kathryn Harding has been promoted to partner in KPMG’s tax practice. She returned to the firm in 2014 to lead its Global Mobility Services practice in the North. In her new role as partner, Kathryn will leverage 19 years’ experience advising multinational employers on all aspects of employee taxation and managing an internationally mobile workforce.

After 18 years with KPMG, Rick Nash has also been made partner in the firm’s tax team. He specialises in M&A and for the last five years has been advising global institutional investors on their acquisition of UK and European infrastructure assets. Splitting his time between KPMG’s Manchester and London offices, his clients include some of the world’s largest pension and infrastructure funds.

Also being promoted to partner in KPMG’s tax practice is Sarah Anthony, who works within the firm’s indirect tax team. Sarah has 15 years’ experience and specialises in providing VAT advice, with clients spanning the public and private sectors.

Alex Simpson has been appointed partner within the firm’s financial services practice. Based in Manchester, he brings over 15 years’ experience advising the UK’s regional banking, insurance and investment management sectors. His clients include financial institutions in the UK and EU and some of the north west’s most high-profile financial services businesses.

Nicola Quayle, office senior partner at KPMG in Manchester, said:

“It’s very satisfying to welcome so many to the KPMG partnership from our thriving St Peter’s Square office this year. Between them, Sarah, Alex, Rick, Kathryn and Liam, perfectly represent the vast experience and broad skill-set we as a firm deliver to Manchester’s business community, and organisations across the North of England.

“Manchester’s economy continues to thrive, with more and more multinationals choosing it as their UK headquarters and a growing community of innovative start-ups keen to make their mark. The strength and scope of our own offering as a full-service business advisory firm reflects the city’s vitality, and I’m fully confident our new partners will help us continue to support the region’s upward trajectory.”