The Birmingham office of Ernst & Young has welcomed the return of two home-grown partners to the West Midlands
Jason Lester, an international tax partner, and John Flaherty, an audit and transactions specialist, have between them spent more than 20 years of their careers in the region.
Having more recently worked with a predominantly London client base, the pair are now returning to the full-time to advise West Midland fast growth, listed and multinational businesses. In addition, Mr Flaherty will also retain some existing clients in London.
Ronnie Bowker, Ernst & Young’s senior partner in Birmingham, said that Mr Lester and Mr Flaherty have worked with some of the firm’s largest clients and that their insights and experience would be a real asset.
“Jason and John bring a wealth of experience to their roles and they will enhance the breadth of skills and expertise we are able to offer our clients in the West Midlands”, he added.
Jason Lester, who joined Ernst & Young in 1994, specialises in international tax structuring issues associated with operating a global multinational business. Commenting on his new role, Mr Lester explained that he is looking forward to working with the West Midlands’ thriving business community full time.
“For the last 4 years I have split my time between the firm’s London headquarters and the Birmingham office, advising a geographically diverse client base, but I am looking forward to focussing my attentions more on the West Midlands market place.
“The region boasts a diverse range of businesses from entrepreneurial fast-growth start-ups, to some of the world’s largest multinational companies, which makes this an exciting place to continue my career.”
Mr Flaherty said: “My new role will see me working closely with the region’s large corporates and private equity businesses, with the aim of building the firm’s audit practice here in the Midlands.
“I have been working for Ernst & Young since 1985 and in that time I have been given the opportunity to work with some of the firm’s largest clients and complete international assignments in both Moscow and San Jose.
“I hope to be able to use my insights and experience to help build our presence in the region.”
