EY has appointed Alistair Brannan as the new UK head of life and pensions, recognising his 19 years of experience in financial services. Brannan, previously a partner at EY Scotland, highlights the sector’s transformative phase, driven by evolving customer needs and technological advancements. Martina Neary, EY’s UK Insurance Leader, praises Brannan’s expertise and anticipates his contribution to navigating industry changes.
FRP Corporate Finance has advised Animalcare on the sale of Identicare to Bridgepoint, facilitating Animalcare’s strategic priorities and Identibase’s growth. Identicare, known for its microchip and pet protection services, sees Bridgepoint acquiring a majority stake, ensuring continuity under CEO Robert Diamond. Mark Farlow from FRP views the deal as reflective of market trends, driven by heightened pet ownership and private equity interest.
GS Verde has aided Abatec Recruitment in acquiring St David Recruitment, expanding its services across sectors. Abatec, known for its civil engineering and industrial clients, acknowledges St David’s premier status in Cardiff’s recruitment sector. Sally Hall, co-founder of St David Recruitment, expresses enthusiasm for the collaboration, anticipating enhanced client services across regions.
KPMG UK has collaborated with Databricks to leverage data and AI for client innovation. The alliance aims to unlock significant economic opportunities, with generative AI potentially adding £31bn annually to the UK economy. KPMG integrates Databricks’ platform into its audit practice, enhancing audit quality and insights. Ian West from KPMG emphasises the importance of robust data architecture, while Michael Green from Databricks anticipates broader adoption of modern data strategies in businesses.
