Global accountancy group KPMG has appointed Karen Witton to succeed its South regional chair Phil Cotton from October 1.
Karen, pictured, has worked at KPMG for 10 years, most recently as indirect tax partner. The firm’s indirect tax outsourcing service has grown significantly throughout the South over recent years. 
Karen will draw on her 25 years’ experience to work closely with KPMG’s 1,000 strong team located across its five offices in Bristol, Reading, Plymouth, Southampton and Cardiff.
She will spearhead activity as the firm continues to support entrepreneurialism across the region, and add value by providing a full complement of audit, tax and advisory services to new and existing clients.
Her appointment comes as KPMG’s Bristol office prepares to move from Temple Street to a new base in the showpiece 66 Queen Square scheme.
Karen said: “Under Phil Cotton’s chairmanship, KPMG in the South has enjoyed rapid growth and I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues in all five of our regional offices to ensure that we build on this impressive progress.
“As a team, our key objective is to continue to perform well across the market by supporting entrepreneurial businesses, and my focus is to ensure that we provide comprehensive support and services to our clients, both old and new, and help them to achieve their ambitious growth plans.”
Phil Cotton, who has worked for KPMG for 36 years, oversaw significant change at the firm as technology advances and the introduction of new advisory services helped positioned it as a market leader in the region. He will now take on non-executive roles with firms in Bristol.
He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at KPMG and Karen’s energy and in-depth knowledge of the South marketplace made her the ideal candidate to step into the role of chair. I look forward to seeing Karen drive the team forward to enjoy further success and help clients achieve their goals.”
