Accountancy group EY has strengthened its presence in the South West with the appointment of its first dedicated transaction diligence partner focused on the region.
Marcus Graham, pictured, will provide financial due diligence on mid-market transactions across the South West, with the aim of building EY’s Bristol-based transactions diligence team alongside its other transaction-related service lines.
Marcus, who joins from the Bristol office of Evelyn Partners, where he spent five-and-a-half years as a director, has more than 16 years’ experience working in transactions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) 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, pictured, who also previously worked at Evelyn Partners, has seven years’ experience in transactions and brings a wealth of due diligence and sales and purchase agreement (SPA) advisory knowledge to the growing team.
She has experience across a range of sectors, including technology, business services, financial services and consumer goods, and will work closely with Marcus to help further develop and grow the local transaction team.
EY’s transaction diligence team forms part of its strategy and transactions service line, which grew by 10% in the past financial year, supported by a strong M&A market. 
EY South West managing partner Karen Kirkwood 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.
“Our work within the region continues to expand and I look forward to seeing their involvement in this.”
EY’s Bristol office has been involved in a number of significant deals in the region recently, including the sale of Exeter software provider Unity 5 to growth investor Synova, as well as the acquisition of Bristol-based independent artisan cake manufacturer Cakesmiths by LDC and the sale of Bristol Energy for Bristol Council.
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.”
