TheCityUK, the industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services, has appointed David Williams, Office Senior Partner for the South West and Wales region at KPMG UK, as its new Regional Chair for the South West.
David joins TheCityUK’s network of Regional and National Chairs based across the country in major financial hubs. In the role, he will work with businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders across the South West to champion the contribution of financial and related professional services to growth and jobs, and ensure their priorities inform TheCityUK's national policy work.
Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer, TheCityUK, said, "Financial and related professional services are a significant employer in the South West and have an important role to play in supporting investment and job creation across the region.
"David's valuable experience helping organisations across the public and private sectors to grow and develop will help ensure we lean into the opportunities and challenges facing businesses across the region and further strengthen our relationships and engagement with key local stakeholders. He will be a great asset in helping to ensure these perspectives shape our policy work."
David Williams, TheCityUK Regional Chair for the South West, said, “I’ve seen first-hand how much difference the right finance and advice can make to an organisation at the right moment.
“The South West has huge potential, particularly centred around new technology and the industries of the future, and our financial and related professional services industry has a big part to play in unlocking it. I look forward to working with TheCityUK to champion the industry’s contribution and make sure the region’s priorities are properly understood and acted on by policymakers.”
Financial and related professional services support around 174,000 jobs across the South West—accounting for 6.3% of regional employment—and generate around £15bn in economic output (GVA), which represents 8.7% of the regional economy, with Bristol serving as its largest financial and professional services centre.
David has served as KPMG UK's Office Senior Partner for the South West and Wales Region since July 2023 and leads more than 700 colleagues. He has been with KPMG for over 26 years and has held senior leadership positions both globally and in the UK for more than 15 years. He specialises in transport, having worked extensively across the rail and bus sectors over the past 25 years, a topic which is critical to the success of the South West.
David is also actively involved in charitable fundraising, supporting KPMG's national charities, such as Felix and local causes like Gympanzees, the UK’s first disabled leisure centre based in Chepstow. As Office Senior Partner, he spends significant time with the local communities across the South West, promoting career opportunities in professional services.