EY strengthens South West Transaction team with new appointments

• EY has appointed Marcus Graham as its first dedicated Transaction Diligence Partner for the South West

• Marcus will be supported by new Assistant Director, Claire Eggels 

• New appointments grow EY’s South West Transaction team to 11 

EY has strengthened its regional business with the appointment of Marcus Graham as its first dedicated Transaction Diligence Partner focused on the South West.

Marcus will provide financial due diligence on mid-market transactions in Bristol and the South West region, with the aim of building EY’s Bristol Transactions Diligence team alongside the company’s other transaction-related service lines.

Marcus has over 16 years’ experience working in transactions, mergers and acquisitions in a number of sectors, including technology, financial services, facilities management and engineering.

He will be supported by Claire Eggels who has joined EY as Assistant Director in Transaction Diligence in the South West. Claire has worked in transactions for seven years and brings a wealth of due diligence and sales and purchase agreement (SPA) advisory knowledge to the growing South West team. She has experience working across a range of sectors including technology, business services, financial services and consumer goods. Claire will work closely with Marcus to help further develop and grow the local transaction team.

EY’s Transaction Diligence team forms part of the business’ Strategy and Transactions service line which grew by 10% in the last financial year, supported by a strong M&A market.

Karen Kirkwood, EY’s Managing Partner for the South West, said: “I’m pleased to welcome both Marcus and Claire to the EY team as we continue to build out our diligence offering, alongside our growing and successful Mergers & Acquisitions and Transaction Tax teams. These key appointments will further enhance our regional transaction capabilities.

“We have been involved in a number of significant local deals recently, including the sale of Unity 5 to Synova, as well as the acquisition of Cakesmiths to LDC and the sale of Bristol Energy for Bristol Council. Our work within the region continues to expand and I look forward to seeing their involvement in this.” 

Commenting on his appointment, Marcus Graham said: “I’m delighted to have joined EY as a Partner in the Bristol office. There is a wealth of opportunity here in the South West and I am looking forward to growing the company’s presence within such an exciting transaction ecosystem.”

Claire Eggels, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help build up a regional due diligence practice that complements and enhances EY’s transaction-related expertise focussed on Bristol and the South West.”