New advisers added to Ernst & Young NI operation

Northern Ireland's Ernst & Young operation is set to receive a boost following the addition of 15 new business advisers.

The expanded NI and Scotland practice is being headed up by Belfast-born Eamonn Rice – formerly partner in charge of Andersen’s Scottish financial services group. Mr Rice is being joined by new partner Tim Clayton-Ball.

The additions to Ernst & Young LLP makes it the largest team of financial services business advisers outside London.

Mr Rice said: “The strengthening of the Ernst & Young financial services practice in this way provides us with an exciting opportunity to not only continue but expand our contribution towards the remarkable success enjoyed in recent years by the major Northern Ireland and Scottish banks, insurers and asset managers.

"As the largest team of business advisers outside London, with an exclusive focus on meeting the global needs of the financial services providers headquartered in Northern Ireland and Scotland, I am confident we are well-positioned to achieve our goal of becoming the preferred supplier of advisory services to the financial services sector in this area.”

With a track record of working with the majority of leading players in the financial services sector – including Ulster Bank, Northern Bank, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life – the new business advisers will, say the company, "complement and enhance the capabilities of the existing team".

Douglas Nisbet, Regional Managing Partner with Ernst & Young in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: "This major expansion reinforces our commitment to serving the financial services community in an efficient and vibrant manner. It also places us in a position of strength in the development and delivery of innovative solutions to clients in areas including risk management, regulation and internal audit.

He added: "To have such a wealth of experience anchored in Northern Ireland and Scotland is unparalleled, providing Ernst & Young with an exceptional advantage to build on its already enviable reputation in the financial services sector.”

(GMcG)