KPMG UK has marked a year of significant team growth in its South Central hub, with five partners taking on national leadership roles, around 50 promotions and a new senior hire bolstering its technology capabilities.
The growth of the South Central hub, which spans KPMG’s Reading and South Coast offices, underlines the region’s growing importance to the professional services firm’s national offering. The milestone year comes as KPMG prepares to celebrate 50 years in Reading in 2026, marking five decades of supporting businesses across the Thames Valley and beyond.
During 2025, several South Central partners stepped into national roles. Audit partner Will Smith, who leads KPMG’s South Coast office in Hampshire, was appointed Regional Vice Chair supporting the firm’s Midlands and South regional network, covering Midlands, South West & Wales, South Central and London. Meanwhile, Terri Coughlan, Head of Private Enterprise Audit for KPMG in Reading, now leads the firm’s new specialist audit team focused on fast growing and private equity backed companies.
Simon Richardson, an audit Partner based in Reading, has become the Head of TMT sector for audit nationally, while Rich Hall (South Coast) and Allister Weir (Reading) became joint leads of the firm’s national UK Tax Compliance & Advisory business.
The firm also welcomed a new senior hire. Ben Whittingham joined as Partner in KPMG’s Technology Transformation team, strengthening its Transport sector capabilities in South Central as demand in the sector grows. Ben joined the Reading office in March 2025 from PwC, where he spent 14 years helping grow the public sector transport team. He is now focused on growing technology and data services across the transport sector, spanning cyber, cloud, AI and tech strategy.
KPMG South Central promoted around 50 team members throughout 2025, including Cerys Malley to Partner after 15 years with the firm. She takes over from Terri Coughlan as Head of Private Enterprise Audit in Reading, bringing expertise in supporting emerging life sciences businesses, particularly those looking to scale and list on US markets. Terri moves into a broader market-facing role working with fast growing, privately owned and private equity backed companies across Reading and London. Sarah Abrahams – who is based in Reading – now leads the South Central hub’s consulting business, working closely with South Central and London senior partners to support businesses throughout their growth journeys.
The South Central hub also promoted seven new directors. In Tax, Rachel McNicol and Darren Woolhouse based in the South Coast office, and Andrew Sussex based in Reading. Reading’s Advisory team has promoted Ian Robinson, Tom Strudley and Sally Williams, while James Sowemimo has been promoted in the Audit team.
Steve Hickman, South Central Hub Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: “We’re seeing a really strong market opportunity across the South Central region, underpinned by a resilient economy with real ambition and entrepreneurialism. Long-term infrastructure investments such as the Oxford-Cambridge arc, Heathrow expansion and major port developments are creating momentum and supporting growth in the local economy.
“Against this backdrop, it’s fantastic to recognise some very well-deserved promotions across all areas of our business. The national roles our partners have taken on, alongside the new talent joining the team, reflect the depth of expertise we have here. As we look ahead to celebrating 50 years in Reading in 2026, we’re entering this milestone year with a strengthened leadership team and growing sector capabilities, putting us in a strong position to support clients as they scale and transform.”
