Independent business advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has appointed Peter Fendall as Strategic Projects Director to support its expansion across the UK.
Peter joins from Deloitte’s Manchester office, where he spent eight years working with a wide range of corporates and private equity firms, managing large and complex audits and working on regulatory and compliance projects. In his new role, he will be helping to roll out the firm’s unique licensing model which enables finance professionals from ‘big four’ firms to run their own business under the Dow Schofield Watts banner. Peter will be based at the firm’s Daresbury headquarters.
Established in 2002, Dow Schofield Watts now has over 75 professionals across the North West, Leeds, London and Aberdeen. It ranks as a top 60 accountancy firm, offering ‘everything but audit’ and was recently named one of the UK’s top 15 most active corporate finance advisers. Peter’s arrival follows a number of key Non-Executive Director appointments as the firm continues to add new service lines and locations.
Peter said: “Dow Schofield Watts’ business model is a genuine alternative to traditional accountancy firms and offers greater autonomy and flexibility for professionals. This really resonates with advisors in the current market, providing a great opportunity for the business to increase its footprint. I look forward to helping roll out the model to other key cities in the UK and welcoming more skilled advisors on board.”
Nicole Burstow, Finance Director at Dow Schofield Watts, added: “Peter will play a key role in supporting our plans to launch more new locations and service lines. The accountancy market is ripe for disruption, with top-tier firms restructuring their business and struggling to attract a more diverse workforce, and many professionals rethinking their priorities following the pandemic.
“The Dow Schofield Watts model opens up new career horizons for them and offers greater choice for advisors and clients alike. We believe alternative models like ours will play an important role in the future of the accounting profession.”
