Cooper Parry makes three partner appointments to Leeds-based mid-market team

Cooper Parry has appointed three partners to its Leeds office to lead the firm’s expansion across Yorkshire and the North East professional services market.

The new hires, all with backgrounds at Big 4 accounting firms, include Arif Ahmad, Liz Ross-Jones, and Chulanga Jayawardana. 

These appointments are intended to increase the firm’s capacity in audit, transaction services, and sector-specific advisory for the food and beverage, manufacturing, and high-growth industries. 

The Leeds-based team is focusing on advising mid-market and private equity-backed businesses on growth strategies and complex transactions. 

Further recruitment is currently underway, with a tax partner and tax director scheduled to join the firm to support the increasing regional client pipeline.

Ahmad, who assumes the role of regional market leader for Yorkshire and the North East, has experience across owner-managed and private equity-backed audits, IPOs, and M&A. 

Meanwhile Ross-Jones focuses on audit services for listed and privately owned businesses in the retail and energy sectors, and Jayawardana specialises in transaction services and fundraisings. 

The firm’s Leeds hub is utilising a boutique service model backed by national-scale resources. 

By integrating transaction services with traditional audit and tax functions, Cooper Parry aims to provide a comprehensive platform for businesses navigating post-merger integration or disposals. 

The ongoing recruitment drive, which already includes a new transaction services manager, is designed to strengthen the firm’s position as a progressive professional services group with a localised presence in the North of England.

Ahmad, regional market leader for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Yorkshire has entrepreneurial businesses that are scaling. Our focus is on being alongside those clients at every stage of that journey, as partners who understand the realities of growth. We are creating a team with the experience to support clients. We are bringing Big 4 credentials with a boutique approach to client service.”

Ross-Jones, audit partner, added: “Leeds has a diverse business community. From established manufacturers to consumer brands and international groups. What excites me is the opportunity to work with those businesses, helping them cut through complexity and make decisions.”

Jayawardana, transaction services partner, concluded: “Yorkshire has an active deal market where innovation and investment are moving. There is an opportunity for us to support clients with their strategic priorities. We are building something with momentum, giving us the platform to deliver commercially focussed advice that helps clients unlock value.”