Member Article

Midlands-based MD appointed as DFK UK & Ireland Chairman

A Midlands-based businessman has been chosen to lead the UK and Irish arm of a leading international professional body.

Mark Ashfield, who is Managing Director at Coventry and Leamington-based accountancy firm Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O), has taken on the role of Chairman at DFK UK & Ireland which is a national association of independent accountancy firms.

The appointment also comes after HB&O was named Firm of the Year by DFK UK & Ireland’s members in 2022, with various team members contributing to DFK special interest groups covering tax, audit, marketing and HR.

Reacting to the news of his appointment, Mark underlined his desire to see other accountancy firms using DFK as a launchpad for growing their own business via referrals and staff development.

Mark said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chairman of DFK UK & Ireland – not only is it an opportunity for me to help drive forward the growth of the association nationally, it’s equally an honour to do so while putting the Midlands region on the map.

“To be provided with the opportunity to further the excellent work undertaken by our previous Chairpersons, Peter O’Connell and Peter Winter, is a daunting yet exciting challenge.

“The strength of our organisation is derived from our members, and we are extremely lucky to be made up of such a strong, collaborative and non-competitive range of firms.

“Since HB&O joined in 2015, we have benefitted enormously from sharing best practice amongst members, referrals of work and being able to support our clients by recommending international partners through our association with DFK International.

“As Chairman, I look forward to building upon this strategy, developing our vision and values and enhancing the benefits of DFK membership for both our existing and future new member firms.

“It has been a fantastic recent period for myself and HB&O; we were appointed as DFK UK & Ireland’s Firm of the Year in late 2022 and we look forward to hosting the DFK UKI Annual Conference in Birmingham in October 2023.

“With the support of the board, executive team and the entire family of DFK Members across the globe, I am confident DFK UK & Ireland can continue to achieve great things in the future.”

Since being established in 1996, DFK UK & Ireland’s membership has grown to include more than 105 partners and 1,000 staff who advise on a variety of commercial financial matters.

DFK UK & Ireland is part of DFK International, a global network of more than 200 accountancy firms across more than 100 countries.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .