KPMG has appointed Karl Edge to lead its UK private company business. Edge will now be replaced as a senior partner in the Birmingham office by Andrew Bostock.

Private equity is seen by many as a driving force in the UK economy. These businesses include scale-ups, family businesses, PE-funded businesses and some of the UK’s largest private companies with a national and international presence across a wide range of sectors.

KPMG Private Enterprise works with clients to help them embrace technology, plan an exit, or manage the transition of wealth or business to the next generation. The firm provides services in the fields of insurance, business planning, strategic services, cyber security and analytics and data services.

Karl Edge will lead the UK wing of KPMG’s private commercial operations, bringing over 30 years of experience to the position. Having worked in private companies in all sectors of the economy, he became a partner of KPMG in 2005 and has been a Senior Partner of KPMG for the Birmingham office for the past six years.

Edge said of his promotion:

“I am excited to build on the momentum we have in the market, leading our outstanding teams across the UK and EMA as we provide the best expertise and advice to businesses with rapidly evolving needs. EMA is a diverse region and our clients will benefit from our collaboration across the geography as we support them in responding to their biggest issues.”

He will assume the leadership role with immediate effect. He follows in the footsteps of Chris Hearld, who became chief financial officer of KPMG UK in early 2022.

Hearld remarked, “It is truly gratifying to pass the baton of KPMG Private Enterprise to Karl, who lives and breathes to help business leaders succeed and overcome their challenges.

Meanwhile, Andrew Bostock succeeds Edge as a senior partner in KPMG’s Birmingham office after 26 years with the firm. After spending the past decade as a partner, Bostock most recently led KPMG’s advisory team in Birmingham and played a role on the office’s management team.

As he assumes responsibility for the 1,300 KPMG employees at the One Snowhill headquarters, Bostock said:

“I am thrilled to be taking over the helm of KPMG’s Birmingham office at such an important time in the continued recovery of the Midlands economy, alongside the all-important levelling up agenda.

The Midlands has a great deal to be proud of just now. The Commonwealth Games is set to put us at the centre of the world stage, Birmingham is becoming an increasingly desirable destination for blue-chip businesses and HS2 will cement the region’s pivotal position in the UK economy.”