John Warner, Managing Partner at BHP, the North’s leading independent Chartered Accountancy and Advisory Firm, is delighted to announce that Audit Partner, Lisa Leighton, and Corporate Finance Partner, Hamish Morrison, will be taking over at the helm of BHP as Joint Managing Partners from 2019.
John said, “At BHP we embrace change, that’s why we continue to thrive. Our 150 years longevity is built on solid foundations and robust succession planning. This, coupled with our ability to continuously innovate, adapt and lead, is how we stay at the forefront of our industry.”
John continued, “I will remain active in the firm and become Senior Partner for the foreseeable future, but I will hand over the reins of running the business in its entirety to Lisa and Hamish as Joint Managing Partners.”
“Both 44, Lisa and Hamish have already been actively involved in the strategic and operational management of the business for several years. They have excellent knowledge, skills and experience across all service lines and operational divisions. They will bring a new wave of inspiration, dynamism and momentum.”
John will continue full-time to manage his ever–expanding portfolio of clients.
John said, “I am extremely passionate about BHP, my clients and the profession we are in. I am still excited and enthused by new and existing clients and entrepreneurs across all market sectors. Above all, I continue to be inspired by my intrepid and pioneering team at BHP.”
Hamish joined EY in 1999 and has over 20 years Corporate Finance experience, expertise and insight. He has been a partner at BHP for over 7 years, and currently heads up the Leeds Office and is a key member of the Corporate Finance team.
After graduating from Sheffield University, Lisa joined BHP in 1995. She became a partner in 2011 and Group Head of Audit in 2015 aged 41.
John stated, “Lisa and Hamish are BHP through and through. I am delighted that they will lead the firm, its 5 offices and our growing team of 350+ professionals into 2020. The pair will bring a new energy and drive to the firm and the whole industry.”
Lisa Leighton added, “BHP has always embraced innovation and improvement. We are independent and nimble: that’s how the firm has survived. We pride ourselves on being pioneers”.
“We are continually investing in our team and technology to ensure that we develop and transform, staying ahead of changing market needs. We have been migrating from compliance to business analysis and advisory for many years. We can analyse big data to better advise our clients on the best way forward for their business.”
Lisa continued, “People talk about the accountancy profession ‘currently undergoing’ rapid and disruptive change, but the reality is that this digital disruption and rapidly evolving technological change started long ago. BHP have been at the forefront of these developments from the outset.”
“We have been moving our clients to cloud-based accounting and data analytics for over a decade. Using our technology, we can now integrate more non-traditional financial information into the mix, making everything more seamless, mobile, efficient and above all, simpler and faster for our clients.”
Hamish Morrison added:
“It’s not just the accountancy and financial professions, it’s the whole business model that is changing for the better. And thankfully it isn’t going to stop. These are exciting times. The industry and BHP will continue to evolve and break new ground. BHP will maintain its position as a professional powerhouse within our great Northern Powerhouse.”
“We will be delighted to take the helm of BHP in 2019. Over the past few years, we have both worked very closely with John, the 28 partners and all the regional offices.”
“In the last decade John has driven BHP through the recession, grown the business from 2 to 5 offices with 350 people and simultaneously increased turnover from £8m to £20m.”
Hamish concluded, “We will build on John’s leadership and growth, steering BHP confidently into the next decade.”