Christabel Cowling and Sue Dawe took up their new roles on 1 September, replacing Eamonn McGrath and Alisdair Mann who have stepped down.

Cowling joined EY in 2002 and has spent the last four years as the chief operating officer for the UK assurance business. As an audit partner, she has extensive experience of advising multinational listed companies and has worked in EY’s Leeds, Birmingham, London and Washington DC offices. Dawe joined EY in 1988 and was appointed head of the financial services practice in Scotland and Edinburgh office managing partner in 2016. Sue has been an audit partner since 2009 and has more than 25 years of experience within the financial services sector, working with a large number of global organisations.

Steve Varley, EY’s UK chairman said: ‘Christabel and Sue bring a wealth of experience and insight to the UK board, having worked across a broad range of sectors and regions of the UK and advised an impressive list of clients.

‘These appointments are a reflection of their skills and experience, but I’m also proud that we are adding to the diversity of our UK board, ensuring that we are able to draw on the widest spectrum of views.’

Cowling is appointed as EY’s UK head of regulatory and public policy and will work alongside the current head, Eamonn McGrath, until the end of the year to enable a smooth transition.

McGrath will be retiring from EY in December after 31 years as a partner and 41 years with the firm. Alisdair Mann, who has served on the UK board for eight years, has been appointed as EY global vice chair, treasury, and will also continue to lead EY’s managed services practice for financial services in Europe, which he was at the forefront of forming five years ago.

Varley said: ‘I would like to thank Eamonn and Alisdair for their hard work, wise counsel and support. They have had a real impact on the business and on me personally, and I wish them the best of luck for the next phase in their careers.’

Report by Pat Sweet