Cooper Parry strengthens northern leadership with partner hires

Cooper Parry has strengthened its northern leadership team with the appointment of two senior partners as the firm continues to expand across the region.

Chulanga Jayawardana, known as CJ, joins as partner to lead transaction services from the firm’s Leeds hub, while Paul Hudson has been appointed audit partner based in Manchester.

Both bring extensive Big Four experience, having previously worked at KPMG and PwC, respectively, and will support clients across the North and the wider UK.

CJ joins after nearly a decade at KPMG, where he advised on a range of mid-market transactions including buy and sell-side deals, cross-border transactions and IPOs, with particular expertise in the food and beverage sector.

He said: “CP is making real waves in the market. 

“It’s an ambitious firm scaling at pace, and I’m excited to help accelerate our growth across the North. 

“There’s a real buzz and energy about the business, underpinned by an agile and collaborative culture and a clear ambition to challenge the status quo. 

“Having seen friends and former colleagues thrive here both professionally and personally, I’m looking forward to playing my part in taking the firm to the next level.”

Paul spent 14 years at PwC and has worked with businesses across more than 20 countries. 

He specialises in advising private equity-backed companies and will lead Cooper Parry’s private equity audit offering in the North.

Paul added: “Having spent the last five or six years working almost exclusively with PE backed businesses, CP being PE backed too really resonated. 

“The chance to come in, lead the PE audit offer across the North and genuinely live and breathe that same journey felt like an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. 

“It means we can relate to clients on a deeper level.

“The business is experiencing many of the same pressures, ambitions and milestones they are. 

And on top of that, Manchester has a real buzz right now. 

“The pace of evolution here is huge and CP is very much part of that story as we continue to grow our presence in the city.”

The appointments form part of Cooper Parry’s continued growth in the region, with the firm’s northern headcount approaching 200 and further hires planned in Manchester and Leeds.

Ade Cheatham, chief executive of Cooper Parry, added: “We’re excited to be growing our presence across the North. 

“Bringing in leaders of CJ and Paul’s calibre is another major step forward. 

“Their sector expertise, Big Four experience and energy for disruption all align perfectly with our vision as the UK’s most progressive professional services group. 

“These appointments further endorse our credibility, broaden our reach and drive our momentum across the region.”

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