Leading local accountancy firm PwC marked the retirement of one of its longest-serving partners and the appointment of two new partners at a special event attended by invited guests, including key clients and Island contacts .
During the informal gathering at Portofino, Douglas, PwC said goodbye to David Churcher, who began his career with Price Waterhouse (PW) in the UK before coming to the Island to run the Isle of Man office. He led the PW operations in the Isle of Man until 1998 when it merged with Coopers & Lybrand (C&L) to become part of the world’s largest professional services firm – PricewaterhouseCoopers or PwC as it is now known.
Since the merger of the two firms 15 years ago, David has seen the expansion of the Isle of Man partnership to more than 90 staff operating in its three key areas of assurance, tax and advisory, as well as many significant changes in the Isle of Man and its industries.
Senior Partner Ian Clague thanked David for his long service and the legacy of quality and excellence he leaves behind for the new partners to carry forward.
He told guests: “David’s wise counsel will be sorely missed. He always provided a considered and pragmatic view to the most complex of issues.”
In his response, David confirmed the sense of pride and achievement he felt in the continued success of the firm and that this was assured given the quality and stability of the team.
The event also celebrated the promotion of Andrew Dunn and Nicola Shepstone to partner status, joining existing partners Ian Clague, Kevin Cowley, Peter Craig, Nick Halsall and Mike Simpson.
Andrew, a director in the firm’s assurance practice, will take responsibility for the quality assurance area previously looked after by David. Andrew qualified with a Big Four firm in 1994, working in the UK, US and Isle of Man before joining C&L in 1997. Since then he has had lead responsibility for a number of the firm’s largest Isle of Man and international clients in the banking, insurance, shipping and telecoms areas.
Nicola, also a director in the firm's assurance practice, qualified in 1996 with a Big Four firm in the UK, where she was working with small entrepreneurial businesses delivering complete business solutions. Nicola then joined PwC in Boston, USA, spending five years working on large multinational clients in the retailing and manufacturing sector, as well as with start-ups in the technology sector. Since her return to the Isle of Man in 2003, she has been working closely with clients in the fiduciary services and insurance sectors. In addition, since joining the Isle of Man team, Nicola has had HR responsibilities and in addition to her client portfolio will assume the role of people partner with effect from July 1, 2013.
Introducing Andrew and Nicola to guests at Portofino, Mr Clague said: “Andrew and Nicola’s admission to the partnership of PwC in the Isle of Man demonstrates the continuing growth and success of the firm and ensures the next phase of succession is in secure hands.”
Photo - L to R: David Churcher (Partner), Andrew Dunn (Partner), Nicola Shepstone (Partner), Ian Clague (Partner).
