Business advisers UNW take on two new partners

Rapidly expanding business advisers and accountants’ firm UNW has taken on two new partners.

The Newcastle-based company now has a total of 13 partners after taking on audit partner Dave Redhead from KPMG and tax partner David Ward from PwC.

Father of two, David Ward has experience of working with UNW senior tax partner Steve Lant and has previously advised Durham County Cricket Club, Camerons Brewery, Sir John Fitzgerald and Ladhar Leisure.

Mr Ward, from Carlisle, Cumbria, said: “It’s really tough out there yet, despite being in the worst recession for 30 years, UNW has managed to take on nigh on 20 new staff in the last six months.

“Against that backdrop, the partnership is working hard to create a great firm, and delivering on it, and that was the biggest attraction for me.

“I enjoy working in leisure because most of the owners have real vision about where they want to take their businesses and are really determined to drive this sector in the North-East forward.”

New audit partner Dave Redhead, from Rowlands Gill, County Durham joins the business with a broad range of experience in advising businesses.

He said: “I started out in KPMG’s business services department in Middlesbrough and my very first client was helping a guy with three body shop franchises and I have always maintained a focus on working with owner-managed businesses.

“What I enjoy doing is what UNW is focussed on so it felt the perfect fit to me.

“I was really attracted to the dynamism of the people that work here, the clients we work for and where we are going.

“The reputation UNW has built itself in the last five years just isn’t matched by anyone else.”

The two new additions join the business advisers as they continue the demand-led expansion of the company and office premises.

The company now occupy half of the ground floor at their Citygate premises,adding six new meeting rooms for their use.

UNW Managing partner Andrew Wilson said: “Working with our existing clients and winning new work is creating some great opportunities for the team here.

“Making a strong team stronger is the challenge and attracting new partners of Dave and David’s calibre is a big step forward but we’ve recruited at all levels in recent months and we’re still on the lookout for talented ambitious individuals.”