EY appoints new financial services head

EY has appointed Martina Neary to head up its financial services business in the Midlands.

Martina (pictured) replaces Amit Thaker, who will retain a leadership position in the Midlands and returns to his tax technology and transformation role.

Martina is a CFO Consulting Partner at EY, advising businesses in the insurance, wealth, and asset management industries.

She has more than 20 years ' experience working with some of the UK 's largest financial institutions, including major UK and global insurance companies, and has significant experience delivering finance transformation projects and advising on mergers and acquisition.

Within EY 's financial services practice, Ben Morphet has also been promoted to Partner, and will lead EY 's Financial Services Assurance practice in the Midlands.

Anna Anthony, UK financial services managing partner at EY, said: “I 'm delighted that Martina is now leading our growing financial services practice in the Midlands. She is highly respected within the industry and understands the full potential of the Midlands financial services market.

“Having worked with some of the UK 's largest financial institutions, Martina is well placed to guide our clients through the current challenges and opportunities. I 'd also like to congratulate Ben on his promotion to Partner. ”

Martina said: “I 'm proud to be leading our financial services team in the Midlands; inheriting a highly skilled and agile team, and working with some of the biggest financial services firms in the region.

“Our focus will be to support clients as they navigate their new future outside the EU, and respond to upcoming opportunities and challenges around the green and digital agendas. ”

Ben Morphet joined EY 's assurance practice in 2004, and has worked with EY 's financial services team since 2007, focused on the life and pensions sector.

In 2017, Ben started to build out EY 's Midlands-based financial services assurance team, which has doubled in size by in the last two years.

Ben said: “I am thrilled to join the EY partnership in the Midlands. The financial services sector in the Midlands is growing and there 's a wealth of opportunity for firms, which I am looking forward to supporting them on. ”